Edwin Diaz, the usually reliable closer for the New York Mets, has struggled early in the 2023 season. After allowing his ninth run and blowing his third save in just 17 games, Diaz has not been performing up to his usual standards. Despite being in his first season back from knee surgery, Diaz did not want to make any excuses for his performance, acknowledging that he needs to do better.
In a recent game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Diaz entered in the ninth inning with a one-run lead but ended up blowing the save after a series of unfortunate events. He walked Brandon Marsh, threw a wild pitch, and then gave up a game-tying hit to Bryson Stott. Diaz has been working through some mechanical issues and is also adjusting to pitching with a new pitch clock, which may be affecting his performance on the mound.
During the game, Diaz threw more sliders than fastballs and admitted that he currently has more confidence in his slider. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner has been working with him to fix a delivery issue that could be impacting his fastball. Additionally, Diaz has been trying to slow down his pace on the mound after being told by teammates, like Francisco Lindor, that he was rushing his pitches.
Despite his struggles, Diaz and manager Carlos Mendoza remain confident in his abilities to bounce back. They believe that Diaz’s experience and previous success as a two-time All-Star will help him overcome this rough patch. Mendoza expressed that Diaz’s confidence is still intact and that he is moving in the right direction. Although the results have not been ideal, both Diaz and Mendoza are optimistic about his future performance.
Diaz’s ongoing struggles have been a surprising development for the Mets this season. After being such a dominant force in previous years, Diaz’s current performance has raised concerns among fans and the team. However, with the support and guidance of his coaching staff, Diaz is determined to work through his issues and return to form. The Mets will continue to rely on him in crucial late-game situations, hoping that he can regain his elite form and help the team secure important victories moving forward.
