Edwin Diaz couldn’t have scripted a better start to his post-injury season.
After notching his second save in as many days, and the 100th of his Mets career, the closer has allowed just one earned run over seven innings.
He’s looked every bit like the dominant reliever the franchise had prior to missing all of last year with a knee injury.
“I feel good, man. I feel amazing. My arm feels great,” Diaz said after notching his fourth save of the season in a come-from-behind, 6-3 victory over the Pirates at Citi Field. “I’ve been able to work, bounce back really good, so I feel really good.”
Diaz has pitched on consecutive days twice, and has reported no issues.
He has struck out 10 over his seven innings of work and finished off this game by pitching around a one-out walk and retiring Oneil Cruz on a fly ball to end it.
The only thing Diaz would like to improve upon is his velocity.
His fastball is down a few miles per hour.
On Monday, he topped out at 98 mph.
He’s averaging 96.7 mph on his fastball, down from 99.1 in 2022.
“Everything has been pretty good, just my [velocity]. It’s up and down a little,” the closer said. “Being down a year ago, I will get back my [velocity]. I have to keep throwing, throwing to get my arm stronger. … Today I was 96, 97, so I expect to go harder next time.”
Last year was a lost season for him.
He suffered a torn patellar tendon during a celebration in the World Baseball Classic.
So far this year, he is making up for lost time, earning the five-year, $102 million contract he signed with the Mets in November 2022.
“Every time they give me the ball, they expect good results from me and I expect the same thing, and I’m doing it right now,” he said.
