Mets’ Diaz throws outdoors, hoping for ’23 return
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NEW YORK — After throwing his first outdoor bullpen session following knee surgery,
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Diaz said he was clocked in the low to mid-90s on Sunday, when he threw on an outdoor bullpen mound to a catcher in the crouching position for the first time since getting hurt.
“I know my stuff is there,” Diaz said. “A main thing for me is how my knee is good and healthy. I feel healthy right now, and I’m pitching again. I just want to get that positive note to go home and relax, work hard for next year.”
Buck Showalter has been encouraged by Diaz’s progress, but the Mets manager said it’s too early to determine whether a September return is possible.
“We’re waiting for the medical signoff, and then there will be a decision to be made,” Showalter said. “But that’s a good thing to think that he would be considered. It’d be really exciting for everybody. Whether or not we go down that road, we’re not there yet.”
Diaz had 64 saves and a 4.00 ERA for the Mets from 2019 to 2021 then registered 32 saves with a 1.31 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings last season. He agreed in November to a five-year, $102 million contract, a record deal for a closer.
