The New York Mets and their fans received bad news on Thursday when it was announced that All-Star closer Edwin Diaz had a torn patellar tendon in his right knee and would miss the entire 2023 season.
The 28-year-old struck out all three batters he faced on Wednesday night in Team Puerto Rico’s matchup against the Dominican Republic, earning the save and sending Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals.
However, during the celebration, Diaz injured his knee and collapsed to the ground, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
He was later taken off the field in a wheelchair.
On Twitter, a Mets fan made a post that sums up the way Mets fans are feeling about the situation.
Mood: 😢 pic.twitter.com/nZqW5sjp5h
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) March 16, 2023
The Mets still have a very solid team, but losing Diaz certainly hurts their chances.
In the meantime, they could use somebody like Adam Ottavino in the closer’s role.
Still, this means that there is now an opening in the Mets bullpen.
Options such as Will Harris, Corey Knebel, and Zack Britton are still available on the free agent market.
But Mets fans are certainly feeling demoralized after hearing the news.
Diaz won the National League Reliever of the Year Award last season and earned his second All-Star nod, posting an ERA of 1.31 over 61 appearances and notching 32 saves.
Losing him is a huge blow to the Mets bullpen and will make competing against the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves a little bit more difficult.
We’ll see how the Mets respond to this setback.
NEXT:
The Mets May Have A Fallback Option For Their Bullpen
