Edwin Diaz Raring to Go For 2021 Season

Upon showing up to camp last week, New York Mets right-hander Edwin Diaz told reporters he felt “physically and mentally great” heading into the 2021 season.

Diaz certainly put that on display in his first outing of the spring on Saturday afternoon. The closer hopeful was tremendous during his inning of work in the Mets’ 6-1 win over the Houston Astros.

Diaz absolutely overpowered Astros’ outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and struck him out swinging with a fastball to start the inning. He then got Jose Siri to roll over to shortstop Francisco Lindor for the second out of the inning, followed by a Jose Altuve line-out to short to end the inning.

Overall, the crafty closer needed just seven pitches, six of which were strikes, to retire the Astros in order in an effortless bottom of the third inning.

Postgame, Diaz told reporters that he feels ready to roll this season.

“I feel like I’m ready to go into the regular season the way I am right now,” Diaz said. “I’m thankful to continue to get my work in right now, but going into the season, I feel prepared as I am right now.”

After struggling mightily in his first season in New York, Diaz bounced back and finished up with a strong performance during the 2020 pandemic shortened season.

Diaz struggled at times early, but ultimately ended up converting six saves, and pitched to a 1.75 ERA, 2.18 FIP, and 1.24 WHIP. He also averaged 17.5 K/9 innings, and according to Baseball Savant finished in the top one percent of the league with a 45.9 strikeout rate.

With Seth Lugo set to miss time at the beginning of the season, the Mets are going to need Diaz to step up big time at the backend of the bullpen. This outing is certainly a great confidence booster for Diaz to start things off this spring.

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