PITTSBURGH — Edwin Diaz apologized to his Mets teammates after learning he would be suspended 10 games for violating MLB’s sticky substances rules.
“I apologized to my team because it meant I was out for 10 games. I didn’t pitch that day so it was effectively 11 games,” Diaz said Saturday. “After that, everybody was on my side. Everybody supported me. Everything was fine.”
After his return, Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth inning, despite being hit by a pitch, for the save in the Mets’ 5-2 win over the Pirates at PNC Park.
Before the fight, Diaz maintained his innocence and said he saw no reason to change his methodology.
The right-hander said he was using a mixture of rosin, sweat and dirt when he was ejected from Wrigley Field on June 23 after having a foreign substance on his right hand before pitching.
“I’m going to do the same thing. There was nothing there that day,” Diaz said. “I’m going to do the same thing. I’m going to rub the rosin, the dirt, the sweat on it. That’s how I grip the ball and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
How will Diaz ensure this doesn’t happen again?
“I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I think I’ll be OK.”
He was inspected by the referee when he entered the game that day, but said it was a routine inspection.
The right-hander chose to accept the suspension and serve the suspension immediately rather than appeal it, which would have meant pleading his case to MLB officials.
Diaz was asked why he decided to abandon his appeal if he was innocent.
“I’m turning the page,” Diaz said. “I’ve talked to my coaching staff. If I appeal, I might wait three or four more days and get a 10-game suspension. I wanted to move forward, so I started on Day 1.”
Diaz joins Max Scherzer and Drew Smith who were suspended over the past two seasons for violating foreign object rules.
The Mets fell to 5-5 with Diaz suspended.
Most notably, they struggled to get outs late in the two-game loss to the Astros last weekend.
Then on Wednesday against the Nationals, the bullpen was a factor in their loss.
“It was tough because I should have been there,” Diaz said. “I was on the outside trying to cheer them on… Every time I went to a game, I was rooting for them to get outs and win.”
Diaz faced batters in practice batting practice sessions twice last week to stay sharp.
The right-hander returned from the disabled list last month with a shoulder injury and was scoreless in four games for the Mets before being suspended.
Diaz had a terrible May, missing four of five save opportunities, and said his confidence was low.
Diaz missed all of last season rehabbing from surgery after rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee during the World Baseball Classic celebrations.
“I did my job today,” Diaz said. “I just want to keep doing my job and help the team win.”
