The New York Mets will never know what Edwin Diaz would or wouldn’t have been during the playoffs, but the hope is that the All-Star closer will be back to where he was roughly a year ago as soon as spring training. 

“The Mets have set up a bullpen for Diaz at his home in Puerto Rico and sent a TrackMan device to monitor his workouts,” Mets beat reporter Mike Puma of the New York Post explained for a piece published Friday. “A trainer and biomechanics coach have visited the right-hander and will continue to check on him periodically.” 

Diaz earned 2022 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award honors and signed a five-year, $102M contract with the Mets last November. The 29-year-old then suffered a shocking torn patellar tendon in his right knee that left him needing surgery when he went down while celebrating a Puerto Rico win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic this past March. 

Diaz repeatedly made it known throughout the spring and summer he wanted to pitch for the Mets before the 2023 season ended. However, former Mets general manager Billy Eppler and former manager Buck Showalter ultimately elected to shut Diaz down once it became clear the club had no chance of qualifying for the playoffs. 

“Diaz might have been in position to join the Mets for a postseason run, but with the team removed from the race, a decision was reached to wait until spring training before he returns to game action,” Puma added. “A person who speaks regularly with Diaz indicated the closer was completely on board with that decision and was appreciative of the open communication” from both Eppler and Showalter.”

Some have speculated the 2023 Mets never recovered emotionally and/or psychologically after they lost Diaz before Opening Day, but it seems the clubhouse had other issues throughout the year. Whatever occurred behind the scenes, new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns will hope Diaz helps the team compete for at least a playoff berth as soon as next year.