Inside The Mets

Mets Closer Edwin Diaz Has Showed This Promising Sign Since Returning From IL

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz has showed this promising sign in two outings since coming off the IL.
Pat Ragazzo|
Jun 14, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports | Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

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New York MetsSan Diego Padres

All signs are pointing towards a return to dominant form.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz notched his first save since May 6 on Friday night in a tight 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres. But that wasn't the best part about his latest outing.

Diaz's most impressive accomplishment since rejoining the big-league club is that he has hit 100 mph on the radar gun for the first time all season. This is the Diaz that the Mets are used to seeing, and a version they have not received since he came back after missing all of the 2023 season due to major right knee surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon.

As SNY baseball insider Andy Martino recently reported, a rival talent evaluator believes Diaz has been throwing all arm, and not trusting the lower half of his body as a result of what he went through last year via a serious knee injury to his driving leg.

But Diaz told Martino that his knee has felt 100 percent, and the righty points to missing an entire season and his quick ramp up in Spring Training as potential reasons for his shoulder issue.

Regardless, Diaz looks back to his old self, and the proof is also in his 91 mph slider, which has looked sharp with more command as of late. Friday was Diaz's second appearance since returning from the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement. He has tossed two scoreless innings during this span.

The Mets have won 7 of their last 9 games, and 9 of their last 13 games. They are now 31-37 on the season, and three games back of the final Wild Card spot in the NL. However, they currently trail seven other teams for this playoff spot.

The club has some momentum now with Diaz and catcher Francisco Alvarez back healthy. The team is playing much better in the past two weeks, and similar to Diaz, Alvarez provides a major impact to the pitching staff as well with his ability to call a game and frame pitches behind the plate.

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Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the main publisher and reporter for the Mets On SI site. He has been covering the Mets since 2018. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has appeared on several major TV Networks including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is a recurring guest on ESPN New York 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM. Pat is also the Mets insider for Barstool Sports personality Frank "The Tank" Fleming’s podcast. You can follow him on Twitter/X and Instagram: @ragazzoreport.

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