PITTSBURGH — In one of the best signs from a handful of much-needed good ones Saturday for the New York Mets and their bullpen, Edwin Díaz returned from his suspension and long layoff displaying conviction.
Díaz, who was suspended 10 games for a sticky-stuff infraction, made an appearance for the first time since June 18 — nearly three weeks ago — and picked up the save in the Mets’ 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Díaz described the sticky-stuff inspection before his appearance Saturday as nondescript. He said he was not anxious about that. His excitement, however, grew once he completed his warmup throws.
Edwin Díaz passed his check for sticky substances. pic.twitter.com/UZeH78RFN6
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 6, 2024
After hitting Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz with his third pitch (all fastballs), Díaz settled down. He struck out first baseman Rowdy Tellez, the next batter, on four pitches, exclusively using fastballs. After starting the following batter, designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, with two sliders, Díaz went to his fastball again for a game-ending double play. His outing required 10 pitches. He averaged 97.6 mph with his fastball, 0.4 mph higher than his average for the season, which was a concern a couple of months ago.
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Before returning from the suspension, Díaz had thrown a couple of simulated games.
“I was ready,” Díaz said.
So were the Mets.
In the 10 games without Díaz, the Mets’ bullpen had an 8.37 ERA, the worst in the majors during that span (the Toronto Blue Jays checked in at second-worst with a 7.29 ERA).
Just like in May when Díaz was either struggling or on the injured list, the Mets’ bullpen recently showed it is ill-equipped for holding leads without his presence.
Díaz’s return doesn’t completely change the story about their bullpen. To contend, they must add capable relievers. But if Díaz continues to pitch the way he did Saturday with conviction in his fastball and the sticky-stuff situation behind him, he unquestionably helps.
“It’s a totally different ballgame when you know you have Edwin Díaz ready to go in the ninth,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.
Having a couple of key pitchers more rested than they were recently plus Díaz’s presence allowed Mendoza to be more aggressive early on with his decision-making.
Mendoza’s usage after starting pitcher David Peterson went as follows: José Buttó, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez and Díaz.
The Mets (43-44) would prefer their starters go deeper into games, but the situation otherwise played out in an ideal way with Buttó providing length and Núñez and Díaz covering the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Until — or unless — the Mets add before or at the trade deadline, it’s a combination that may continue to work.
Mendoza pulled Peterson with one out in the fifth inning. That’s something he didn’t have the luxury to willingly do recently; he needed to act more conservatively and push starters in some instances.
Before the fifth inning started, Mendoza gave Buttó, a right-hander, a heads-up that he would likely appear within a few batters over the lefty Peterson, with right-handed batters in the middle of the order due up. Because he started games the entire year until last week, such communication will need to remain a key going forward to get the best out of Buttó, who continued to impress in the new role with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
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From there, Mendoza went to Garrett, a right-hander with similar numbers against righties and lefties, for the seventh inning. Things got hairy, though. Garrett escaped a bases-loaded jam without allowing a run after giving up a hit and two walks. That’s the concern from here: The Mets still need to ease up on usage with Garrett and lefty Jake Diekman, though they just don’t have many late options besides Adam Ottavino (moved into lesser-leverage roles), Núñez and Díaz.
Núñez — who needed just eight pitches for his perfect inning and lowered his ERA to 2.33 — and Díaz perhaps offer a glimpse into a formidable back-end duo, especially if concerns with Díaz continue to fade.
A sort of new issue with Díaz: Mendoza preferred Francisco Alvarez to catch him, despite Alvarez not starting the game after getting plunked on the elbow Friday night by a 98-mph fastball via Paul Skenes. Before the game, Alvarez said he was sore but would be fine and tests were negative. Still, it was curious to see Alvarez used in the spot, especially when backup catcher Luis Torrens went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Mendoza had done the same thing in a game before the suspension, too. Clearly, the Mets want Díaz (4.50 ERA) to appear in ideal conditions to get him on a roll.
“Trying to get Díaz going here too,” Mendoza said.
Díaz is comfortable with Alvarez and hasn’t worked much with Torrens (the Mets acquired him on May 31), but said he respected how Torrens calls games, talked with him before the game, and would throw to him if asked to.
Given Alvarez is the budding star catcher anyway, the Mets have other issues to worry about.
They need to make sure Díaz continues to look right because they’ve already learned just how important he is. Díaz isn’t just the high-paid closer who is supposed to lock down games; he solidifies the bullpen, puts things in order, and allows others to perform roles that they are more suited for. Those are big things, especially in a bullpen thin on steady options.
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Thus, a successful return for Díaz and the Mets was paramount. Though he continued to say he used just sweat, dirt and rosin without using any illegal substances, Díaz accepted his suspension instead of appealing because he didn’t want to encounter a delayed process that could’ve ended up in him missing 10 games, anyway. Generally, pitchers in the past have not appealed sticky-stuff suspensions because they view it as a waste of time since the hearing isn’t in front of an independent panel.
Díaz said he didn’t feel guilty over the situation because he didn’t do anything wrong, but he apologized to his teammates on the night of his ejection for not being available for the next 10 games. The Mets went 5-5 without him. On Saturday, they snapped their first three-game losing streak since May 29.
With their bullpen depth tested, the Mets were nearing their limit on life without Díaz and were feeling the effects. Díaz said he left the situation in the past after addressing it with the team. From here, the Mets hope to do the same.
“I left it behind after that day, after I apologized to my teammates after that game,” Díaz said. “I just want to keep doing my job and help this team to win.”
(Photo: Justin Berl / Getty Images)
