Mets Rumors: Edwin Diaz Demoted as Closer; NYM ‘Likely to Close by Committee’

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVMay 19, 2024

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The New York Mets are demoting closer Edwin Diaz and moving to a closer-by-committee approach moving forward.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the Mets are making a move until Diaz “regains his confidence.”

A two-time Reliever of the Year winner, Diaz has a 5.50 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 18 appearances this season, blowing three of his eight save attempts. He has as many blown saves already this season as he had in all of 2022.

The two-time All-Star gave up four runs in 0.1 innings in Saturday’s loss to the Miami Marlins and acknowledged he could move out of the closer role.

“I’m open to everything,” Diaz said. “I want to help my team to win. That’s my main thing. If they want to talk to me about that and I feel good about it, I agree on it. I just want to win games in any position they put me.”

Diaz missed the entire 2023 season with a patellar tendon injury in his knee, so it’s understandable that he’s a little rusty. His underlying numbers are still stellar, and if anything point to the fact he should just need a short boost in confidence before moving back to his closing role.

The Mets have dropped seven of their last 10 games overall to move to 20-25 on the season.