Port St. Lucy – Unlike last year, Edwin Diaz has no limits to training this spring.
And he enjoys it.
“It was a little different last year because I was recovering from an injury,” Diaz posted Tuesday. “When I arrived here for spring training [last year]I didn't do everything on the team. This year I was able to do everything, that's a good thing. Physically, I feel great and ready. ”
Last spring, Diaz slowly rose after missing the entire 2023 season due to a torn patellar tendon that he suffered while celebrating at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
And then he recorded a 3.52 ERA last year, with 20 regular season saves and seven blown saves.
The Mets temporarily eliminated him from his closer role.
It was far from his 2022 show, where he recorded a 1.31 ERA with 32 saves.
It won him a $102 million deal for his five years.
Perhaps the lack of restrictions this spring could help him return to his 2022 form.
He didn't travel to the Astros due to a 8-5 spring training defeat on Tuesday, so instead threw live batting practice at the Mets facility.
Diaz couldn't control the base runner last year.
He allowed 16 stolen bases in the regular season, more than doubled every season of his career from the five who surrendered in 2022.
“I'm trying to get under 1.5 [seconds to the plate]Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday. “This is the guy who was almost two seconds on the plate last year. If I took him somewhere 1.5, I'd take him somewhere. [range]it gives our catchers a chance, and people are basically not just walking to two bases. …When he gets game action, these are some of the things we're looking for. And he knows, and he wants to work on it. And I also chose the base. He wasn't that comfortable last year. ”
It would be difficult to put Díaz quickly into the plate without affecting his control.
His controls, especially on the slider, became a whim last year.
Too often he left the pitch hanging in the center of the plate.
Five of the seven home runs that surrendered during the regular season came down from the slider with each baseball savant.
“I'm always working on my orders,” Diaz said. “If I hit the glove side with consistency, I get better, so that's my goal. I control the game I'm running. I think that's something I have to improve. I'm a single base We are working on pick-offs to and are trying to make the plate faster. It's the best time to do this.”
