Edwin Díaz returns to mound for Mets for first time since October 2022
NEW YORK (AP) — Mets closer Edwin Díaz returned to a major league mound after an absence of 538 days, pitching the ninth inning in New York’s 7-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Díaz missed last season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a win for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He received a standing ovation from the Citi Field crowd of 30,296 as he entered to the familiar sounds of Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco.” Mr. and Mrs. Met mimed playing the trumpet on the scoreboard as Díaz jogged to the mound and began warming up.
“It means a lot,” Díaz said of the reaction. “I think they love me. I was really, really, really happy when I started feeling everyone cheering and screaming.”
Díaz retired Rhys Hoskins on a popup and got Joey Ortiz to line out before Brice Turang singled and stole second and third. The 30-year-old closer, who struck out 118 batters in 62 innings in 2022, tstruck out rookie Jackson Chourio.
Came in, attacked hitters,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It was good to get him in the game. Obviously hoping to see him when we got the lead.
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