Mets star closer Edwin Diaz shares encouraging update on injury recovery

New York Mets All-Star closer Edwin Diaz offered an encouraging update on his status as he continues his recovery from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2023 MLB season. 

"If spring training started tomorrow, I’d be 100% ready right now," Diaz told Laura Albanese of Newsday. "I’ve got a lot of power in my leg. I’m ready to go." 

Diaz signed a five-year, $102M contract with the Mets shortly after earning the 2022 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award. The 29-year-old fan-favorite then shockingly suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a Puerto Rico win in the World Baseball Classic this past March, and that setback seemed to impact the Mets throughout what became one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. 

Without Diaz, MLB's most-expensive squad finished the 2023 campaign with a record of 75-87.

Diaz previously made it known he wanted to try to return before this past season concluded, and he told Albanese he "threw eight or nine bullpens" near the end of the campaign. 

"It was really good," Diaz added. "My knee was feeling great [back then], and it’s feeling better right now. I was in New York last week doing some tests, and they came back really, really good, so I’m really happy." 

Mets beat reporter Mike Puma of the New York Post revealed in October that "Diaz might have been in position to join the Mets for a postseason run" had the Amazins not collapsed before their fire sale at the trade deadline. Diaz now is working toward getting comfortable back on the bump and shared with Albanese that he can field the position just as he did before his injury.

"My comfort is big," Diaz explained. "I haven’t been doing that yet because we have a lot of time [and] we’re in December right now, so I have to do that maybe in February…But can I do it right now? Yes, I can do it 100%."

Mets fans will welcome any good news they can get coming off a season most individuals associated with the organization would prefer to forget.