After the World Baseball Classic game between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz suffered a long-term knee injury during the celebrations.
That has got to be the absolute worst injury scenario an athlete can imagine: celebrating with teammates isn’t supposed to be this dangerous.
Fate sometimes has some dark things in store, though.
Mets GM Billy Eppler discussed Diaz’s timeline, and while there is a period of time considered standard for ruptured patellar tendon surgeries – Diaz’s injury – the recovery time will be dictated by the athlete, his body, and how committed he is to coming back strong.
“Eppler said the timeline on this injury is usually eight months, though some athletes have come back in six. He said they won’t be updating his timeline any time soon. Full thickness tear of that patella tendon,” Chelsea Janes, an MLB insider, tweeted on Thursday.
Eppler said the timeline on this injury is usually eight months, though some athletes have come back in six. He said they won’t be updating his timeline any time soon. Full thickness tear of that patella tendon. https://t.co/xyJBYsiV6Z
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) March 16, 2023
If Diaz beats the original, standard timeline of eight months and actually gets ready to pitch in six, there could be an outside chance he makes it back in time before the end of the season.
That would be a rarity, though, so the Mets aren’t counting on him in 2023 because they will probably prioritize a return to full health in 2024 rather than rushing things to be ready for the postseason.
The Mets (and team Puerto Rico, too) just lost arguably the best reliever in baseball.
It’s a tough blow for the bullpen.
We wish Diaz a full, speedy recovery after this awful news.
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Mets Fans Are Left Devastated Over The Edwin Diaz News
