New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz has allowed eight earned runs in his past five innings and is losing his grasp on closing duties in Queens. On Sunday, manager Carlos Mendoza did not commit to a new closer but did describe Diaz's usage as "fluid." He further stated, "He'll do whatever it takes, whether that is pitching in the seventh, the eighth, the ninth-whatever that is losing, winning." These are not encouraging words for fantasy managers, especially with Diaz's recent production. For the short term, Mendoza might give ninth-inning duties to Reed Garrett, who enters Sunday with a stellar 0.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, or Adam Ottavino, who carries a 2.95 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Diaz should still be the clear lead to earn save opportunities this summer but may need to pitch in a set-up role to gain his confidence back. Both Garrett and Ottavino are solid options to add this weekend from the waiver wire if you are desperate for saves.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte will not start on Sunday against the Marlins in Miami. It appears to just be a normal day of rest for the 35-year-old veteran. DJ Stewart is getting the start in right field for the Mets and will hit cleanup against Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez. Marte has stayed healthy so far this year through 183 plate appearances and is currently slashing .266/.313/.379 with four home runs, 16 RBI, eight stolen bases and 22 runs scored for the Mets. He should be back in the lineup on Monday for the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. Stewart has some thump in his lumber with four home runs in 35 games in 2024, but he's also hitting just .203 (15-for-74) with 16 RBI, 19 walks and 19 strikeouts. He has never faced Sanchez in his career.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (illness) is out of the starting lineup on Sunday against the Miami Marlins due to flu-like symptoms. There is some kind of bug going around the team's clubhouse right now. With Martinez under the weather, Brandon Nimmo will serve as the DH and bat third, with Tyrone Taylor in left field and hitting fifth against Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez. Fantasy managers will need to remove Martinez from their starting lineups and check back on Monday to see if he's feeling good enough to play in the series opener in Cleveland against the Guardians. Martinez didn't make his 2024 debut for the Mets until April 26, but he's hit the ground running and is currently batting .315 (23-for-73) with two home runs and nine RBI in 21 games. The six-time All-Star is still a nice source of power in fantasy despite being 36 years old.

New York Mets closerEdwin Diazsquandered a four-run lead in the ninth inning of Saturday's 10-9 loss in ten innings at the Miami Marlins. Diaz gave up an RBI single toJazz Chisholmbefore allowing a game-tying three-run homer toJosh Bell, who tied the game. After the game, Diaz told SNY that his "confidence is down" and that he would be open to relinquishing the closer's role until he can regain his form. Diaz has five saves this season, but his ERA has zoomed to 5.50 after allowing four home runs in his last 8 1/3 innings. Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino would be next line to handle closer duties for the Mets until Diaz gets back on track.

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty is idle from the starting lineup on Saturday as the Mets will face southpaw Braxton Garrett. Mark Vientos will get the nod at third base instead. Vientos was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse earlier this week and looks to have claimed the short side of a platoon role with Baty at the hot corner. Vientos has already begun to make an impact since his recent promotion, tallying two hits, including one double on May 15. The 24-year-old could be a value play in DFS as Braxton Garrett struggled in his first start of the season on May 12 and enters Saturday with an 8.44 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.