Edwin Díaz's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz was ejected from Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs after a routine check for illegal substances. Diaz was about to enter in the ninth inning and was looking to preserve a 5-2 lead and lock down another save before a typical check by the umpiring crew led to him being tossed from the game. The fireballer will now face the automatic 10-game suspension that comes with every sticky stuff ejection. It's a tough loss for both the Mets and Diaz's fantasy owners, who will have to look for alternatives to get into their lineups for saves this week.

In his first outing since returning from the injured list, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz earned his second victory of the year. Diaz pitched the top of the ninth inning as the Mets were down 2-1 at the time and recorded a strikeout in what was otherwise a clean frame of work. The veteran would be awarded with the victory when outfielder J.D. Martinez hit a walk-off two-run home run off Tanner Scott in the bottom of the ninth inning. Diaz missed the previous 15 games with a shoulder impingement, but looked like his old self on Thursday. Moving forward, Diaz should remain one of the best closer options in the game.

The New York Mets announced on Wednesday that they have placed right-handed reliever Edwin Diaz (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with a right-shoulder impingement. In a corresponding move, left-hander Josh Walker was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. In his first year back from a knee injury that caused him to miss all of 2023, Diaz has struggled, posting a 5.40 ERA (4.58 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP, five saves, seven walks and 30 strikeouts in 20 innings out of the bullpen. Before landing on the IL, Diaz was temporarily removed from the closer role after a three-outing stretch in which he gave up seven earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking three and blowing two saves. He also blew his fourth save in his last appearance against the Giants. It remains to be seen when he'll be able to return to the Mets, let alone be rewarded with save chances again. In the meantime, Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino could both factor into ninth-inning duties.

When asked if relief pitcher Edwin Diaz could receive a ninth-inning opportunity on Saturday against the visiting San Francisco Giants, New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, "He's our closer." However, Mendoza also referred to Diaz as "one of our options" and said "we'll piece it together." This comes after the skipper recently said last Sunday that Diaz's bullpen role would be more "fluid" given his recent struggles. The 30-year-old flamethrower allowed a season-high four earned runs on four hits (one homer) in just one-third of an inning last weekend but struck out two in a scoreless inning on Friday against the Giants for his second hold of the year. Diaz has already blown three saves in 2024 and hasn't recorded a save since May 6, but the Mets could work him back into the role if he can settle down and stack a few more good outings together.

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.