Mets fans danced through the pain.
The trumpets rang, the crowd applauded, and the crowd stood up to welcome Edwin Diaz back to the mound, welcoming the long-awaited return of the beloved and dominant closer.
However, amidst that joy, there was a situation where the Mets were trailing by two points.
Still, Diaz was a rare sight in MLB, making an entrance that brought the party to Queens, riding on the frills and fanfare that helped him become more than just a pitcher. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a 7-6 loss to the Brewers. Saturday at Citi Field.
“It was amazing. I felt really happy,” Diaz said. “I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie. But I did my job.”
Diaz hasn’t pitched in the majors since Oct. 9, 2022, when he shut out the Padres in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.
His 2023 season, and likely the Mets’ season, ended before it began when he tore his patella tendon during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Nearly 18 months later, the fiery right-hander jogged to “Nalco,” the highly danceable national anthem that was missing from Citi Field all last season.
With the crowd on its feet, Diaz brought out Reese Hoskins (the first Mets pitcher of the day to retire the hated former Philly) and lined out Joey Ortiz.
Bryce Turan hit a single and stole second and third base, but Diaz struck out Jackson Chourio with a wicked slider and escaped the crisis.
Diaz said he felt “chills” as he ran to the mound for the 405th time in his career, but for the first time since surgery.
“I’m sure he went through what he went through last year and felt it,” said manager Carlos Mendoza, who witnessed the show for the first time in the home dugout.
Diaz was pitching not only because the Mets wanted to keep the game close, but also because he hadn’t pitched since Sunday and wanted a job.
Eighteen pitches later, Diaz could call himself a major league pitcher again.
Loud cheers welcomed Diaz’s return, but silence soon followed.
The Mets got close to a one-run lead with Pete Alonso’s home run, but were unable to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning.
“I can’t wait to continue helping the team and see if we can win some games,” Diaz said.
