Edwin Díaz dominant closer again for Mets, 18 months after freak injury

Edwin Díaz had longed for this, and so had the New York Mets.

Ever since he tore up a knee during a postgame celebration of a Puerto Rico win at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the New York Mets closer had been coddled. He missed an entire season and had to rebuild his skill and stamina.

With the Mets fighting for a playoff berth and the regular season about to start its final week, manager Carlos Mendoza brought in the 30-year-old right-hander to start the eighth inning against the top of the Philadelphia Phillies' batting order on Sunday night. And then he left in Díaz to pitch the ninth.

“We’ve been protecting him the whole year and now it’s big boys time,” Mendoza said.