Almost a year to the day, Mets closer Edwin Díaz took the mound in a competitive game for the last time. That’s when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the World Baseball Classic.
On Monday, the two-time Reliever of the Year Award-winner is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut against the Marlins. In an appearance on the MLB Network on Sunday, he reiterated that he’s ready to face MLB hitters.
“Just throw strikes,” He told MLB Network’s Robert Flores. ”I know I’m healthy. Just going out and competing — I want to compete. I want to elevate my game. I was throwing live (batting practice) and I told the team I’m ready to be in a real game.”
Last week, Díaz pitched a perfect inning, striking out the team’s No. 1 prospect Jett Williams to end his day. He sat between 96-98 mph, according to Newsday’s Tim Healy.
In that appearance, Mets staff blasted Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco” from a speaker situated behind the plate in the backfields of the team’s spring training complex. Will it be used again at the stadium in Clover Park, where a large crowd is expected to watch the 6-foot-3 right-hander make his return?
“People want it,” Díaz told Flores, “I think that we’ll play it here.”
Díaz, who has been at the Mets’ spring training facilities since before pitchers and catchers reported, vowed to be “the same guy” he was in 2022 in February. In 61 appearances that season, he posted a 1.31 ERA with 118 strikeouts over 62 innings and recorded 32 saves, earning him a five-year, $102 million contract — the largest contract for a closer in MLB.
Manny Gómez may be reached at [email protected].
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