Mets Edwin Diaz injures his knee celebrating Puerto Rico’s win over DR and leaves in a WHEELCHAIR
Mets star Edwin Díaz injures his knee celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory over the Dominican Republic and leaves the field in a WHEELCHAIR, with his brother crying in a shocking finale.
New York Mets star pitcher Edwin Díaz was carried off the field after suffering what appeared to be a catastrophic injury in Puerto Rico’s victory in the World Baseball Classic.
Díaz’s Puerto Rico squad had just recorded a massive 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic and were huddled up jumping from side to side after the immediate conclusion of the game when he was injured.
Diaz, 28, was in the center of the crowd as he and his teammates celebrated before falling to the ground. Teammates could immediately be seen calling for help from medical personnel.
Diaz was unable to put weight on his knee as he was helped off the field and left below the diamond in a wheelchair. Diaz is reportedly undergoing X-rays and other evaluations by doctors at the stadium and a diagnosis has yet to be made.
Diaz’s brother, Cincinnati pitcher Alexis Diaz, was crying when Edwin was taken away. Mets teammate and Puerto Rico shortstop Francisco Lindor stood nearby with his hands on his head.
Edwin Diaz was carried off the field after being dramatically injured Wednesday night.
Díaz was celebrating Puerto Rico beating the Dominican Republic when he was injured
He injured himself in an innocuous moment as his teammates ran over to celebrate with him (left)
New York had tried to be careful with Diaz, who previously announced that he would not be allowed to pitch in back-to-back games until at least the WBC final.
The Mets will certainly be upset that Diaz suffered what appears to be a serious injury after re-signing closing pitcher Diaz to a five-year, $102 million contract, the largest ever awarded to a relief pitcher.
Last season he was named the National League Hoffman Reliever Award winner last season after finishing with a 1.31 ERA and an incredible 17.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
Diaz went 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves in 61 games in 2022, striking out 118 batters in 62 innings.
The two-time All-Star right-hander is 16-29 with a 2.93 ERA and 205 saves in 404 career relief appearances for the Seattle Mariners (2016-18) and Mets. He led the majors with 57 saves in 2018.
His huge contract extension that he signed this summer likely also ensured that he would be the team’s primary closing pitcher, after being used on occasion in the role on a rotating basis last year.
Heading into this offseason, the Mets made pitching and improving the bullpen a top priority in free agency.
New York added relief pitchers David Robertson, Brooks Raley and Elieser Hernandez to bullpen roles this winter.
More importantly, they also made quite a splash by signing two of the offseason’s most prized arms by inking Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86.7 million contract and Japanese superstar Kodai Senga to a two-year contract. of $75 million for five years. with the addition of José Quintana’s two-year, $26 million contract.
Diaz soon fell to the ground and was clutching his knee as the celebrations suddenly plummeted.
Members of the Puerto Rico coaching staff tried to help Díaz off the field.
Diaz eventually required a wheelchair and showed a dejected figure as he was carried away.
Along with all those signings, New York also re-signed outfielder Brandon Nimmo to a massive $162 million, eight-year contract, and almost signed shortstop Carlos Correa to a massive contract had it not been for a failed physical evaluation.
The Mets’ projected payroll for this season is currently $33,893,332, which breaks the previous record of $291 million.
For those wondering why the Mets would let a player who was destined to play such a pivotal role in their season play in the World Baseball Classic, the simple answer is because of the great importance of competition between the world of baseball, which may not be among the average fan.
The WBC is the equivalent of the baseball World Cup and is the only international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) in association with MLB.
It is also the only WBSC-sanctioned baseball tournament to award the winner the title of ‘World Champion’.
Diaz’s brother, Cincinnati pitcher Alexis Diaz, was crying when his brother left.