By Erwin Quiñonez
Mar 31, 2024, 10:31 AM EDT
537 days had passed without hearing the famous trumpets at Citi Field that announced the entry into play of Puerto Rican closer Edwin Díaz, something that changed this Saturday when the right-hander officially returned to the mound with the New York Mets to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
Díaz returned with a stellar plan, working for an inning in which he faced four three batters, without allowing a run and also managed to strike out an opponent, but one of the things that caught the most attention and generated good feelings in the team was when he managed to throw a fastball at 99 miles per hour (MPH).
It was not necessary for Díaz to pitch since there was no chance of a save, however, manager Carlos Mendoza considered it a perfect opportunity for his star closer to officially return to action and begin to regain the confidence that the game has given him. status of being one of the best closers today.
But in addition to that, for the Puerto Rican it was not only a great moment to return to the mound after more than a year, but he was also impressed by the way in which he was received and applauded by the Mets fans.
“I felt chills. They love our team. They love me. And I was really, really, really happy when I started hearing everyone cheering and shouting,” said the Puerto Rican.
For his part, manager Mendoza also referred to what was experienced during the presentation of “Sugar” Díaz and stated that it was emotional for the player, especially after last year’s absence.
“This was his first time back there at Citi Field in front of the fans, and he got a standing ovation. I’m pretty sure he felt it after what happened last year,” said the Venezuelan leader.
Beyond the result on the board for the ninth inning of this match, the exit from the closed had been programmed by the coaching staff, but mainly authorized by pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who listened to the pitcher when he told him that he wanted to throw the Saturday regardless of the game situation.
Edwin Díaz had spent more than a year without official activity after suffering a tear in the patellar tendon in his right knee during his participation with Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He tried to return at the end of 2023, but couldn’t because the Mets didn’t make the playoffs.
The closer was warming up in the bullpen during the eighth inning when the New York team was losing by five runs, but Brett Baty hit a three-run home run that brought his team closer on the scoreboard and gave Díaz hope of returning with the possibility of saves, however, this did not happen.
“After Baty hit that home run, I knew the game was a lot closer than before. So I made sure I threw my pitches the way I wanted in the bullpen and threw strikes with my slider down in the zone. And that is what I did. When I entered the game, I was very tuned,” explained the right-hander.
With his presentation this Saturday, the Puerto Rican showed that he is ready to be the same as in previous years and proof of this was his 99 MPH fastball and the way his slider fell in the lower part of the strike zone.
“Everything is normal, finally, I came back and pitched. The coaching staff is very happy. I am eager to continue helping the team to see if we can win some games,” said Edwin Díaz.
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