Edwin Díaz's Triumphant Return Bolsters Mets' Pitching Confidence
Edwin Díaz made a triumphant return on Thursday night, delivering a flawless inning that set the stage for a remarkable comeback win against the Miami Marlins. Díaz, who had been sidelined since late May due to a right shoulder impingement, showcased a standout performance that was a significant boost to the Mets' bullpen confidence.
Ninth-Inning Heroics
Díaz took to the mound in the ninth inning with the Mets trailing 2-1. He induced a ground out from Tim Anderson, struck out Otto López, and generated another ground out from Christian Bethancourt. In total, Díaz threw 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes, with his fastball averaging an impressive 98.4 mph. According to Statcast, this was an increase of 1.4 mph over his seasonal average, signaling his return to peak physical condition.
Offensive Fireworks
In dramatic fashion, J.D. Martinez launched a walk-off two-run home run, sealing the victory for the Mets. This win was crucial for a team that holds a 30-37 record for the year and is showing glimmers of resurgence after a difficult May. The Mets hope that this victory might spark a sustained run of success as they seek to climb the standings.
Díaz's Season So Far
Díaz entered Thursday’s game with a 5.40 ERA, maintaining a 4.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his 20 appearances. Notably, eight of the 14 runs Díaz allowed came during five appearances before his deactivation, during which he also blew three save opportunities. Despite these struggles, Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza has been unwavering in his support for Díaz.
"He feels good physically and mentally, so we’re comfortable with him going back to the closer spot," Mendoza said. "For us to make a run at this, we're going to need Díaz to be Edwin Díaz."
Looking Ahead
The Mets went 9-19 in May but have shown signs of improvement with a 6-4 record to start June. For the Mets to turn their season around, both the offense and pitching staff need to maintain their current level of play. Díaz’s health and effectiveness, in particular, could determine the team's fortunes moving forward.
As Manager Mendoza noted, "We've been trying to piece it together for the past month or so." If Thursday’s game is any indication, Díaz's flawless inning suggests he is back to his dominant self and could be the catalyst the Mets need for a successful run.