WEST PALM BEACH — Edwin Diaz‘s spring outings have been somewhat of an adventure. The Mets closer has gotten into jams, but gotten out of them. He’s given up extra-base hits, however labored round them. He’s given up runs in Grapefruit League video games, however been stable on the backfields.
Nonetheless, this time of yr, outcomes for pitchers like Diaz matter little. The method is an important a part of preseason and to date, and dealing with runners on base is a crucial a part of the method.
“When you have men on base and you’ve got to tell yourself to stay relaxed and stay calm, and that’s what I did in my last outing,” Diaz stated Wednesday forward of his Grapefruit League outing. “I gave up a double with nobody on and nobody out, had a man on third with one out, and I still made pitches. I got out of the jam.”
The 2 runs allowed in 2/3 of an inning in his first Grapefruit League sport of the yr had been the results of some mechanical points. Diaz received again into the bullpen to work them out. Three days later, he walked the primary two batters he confronted earlier than putting out the following three. The mechanics settled down and so did the nearer.
The extent of depth closers face throughout common season video games isn’t what they expertise in Grapefruit League video games. Diaz could be pitching within the fifth inning towards Double-A hitters in spring coaching, which may make it tough to get into the mindset he would normally have throughout a daily season save alternative.
“These guys are so used to getting the last three outs with the adrenaline, so it’s different,” stated supervisor Carlos Mendoza. “It’s something that’s hard to replicate here in spring training. But as long as he’s feeling good and bouncing back, there’s no issues there.”
Diaz feels more healthy than ever.
“I feel great, man, I feel great. I feel like I’m ready to go already,” Diaz stated. “I think throwing today and tomorrow, back-to-back, that’s my last thing to do in the spring. So I’m doing really good. I’ve been able to work in the backfield on a couple of things, and that helped me last week. The last couple of times I threw it was really good, I was happy about everything.”
The Mets can have Diaz proceed to work on the backfield over the weekend to permit him to work on particular facets of his sport in a managed surroundings. He’s been placing an emphasis on pickoffs at first base and lowering his occasions to the plate to regulate the working sport.
His purpose is to remain wholesome this season and save as many video games as he can, however after an up-and-down 2024 and lacking 2023 with a knee damage, he has one other purpose for 2025.
“I want to be an All-Star,” Diaz stated. “Every player wants to be an All-Star, so that’s one of my goals for this year.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Left-hander A.J. Minter (hip labrum surgical procedure in 2024) might not attain that back-to-back benchmark due to how lengthy it took him to get right into a sport, however the Mets don’t suppose he has to. He’s nonetheless on observe to be prepared for Opening Day.
Left-hander Sean Manaea (proper indirect pressure) has began throwing from 90 ft.
Jesse Winker is predicted to return to the lineup Thursday. The outfielder/DH left Monday’s sport with cramps.
Initially Revealed: March 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM EDT
