PITTSBURGH — Edwin Diaz last played in a game on June 23 and was ejected before pitching after a sticky substance on his right hand was determined to be in violation of MLB’s foreign body rules.
The 10-game suspension issued by the league afterward is set to end Saturday, when the Mets closer is eligible to pitch again.
The best thing that can be said about this situation is that the Mets didn’t fall apart in Diaz’s absence.
Through Friday, the Mets were 5-4 in games played without their impressive closer.
The Mets missed Diaz, but not having anyone on the roster to replace him was a double blow.
The Mets, rotating pitchers between Triple-A Syracuse and their major league team, sometimes found themselves short-handed to fill innings.
“I thought the guys did the best they could,” Mets relief pitcher Reid Garrett said Friday before facing the Pirates at PNC Park. [Diaz]That will put us in a better position. We’re looking forward to having him back.”
Diaz said he used the same rosin, dirt and sweat he normally uses to get a good grip on the ball after his ejection at Wrigley Field.
But umpires chief Vic Carapazza saw it differently, claiming some other substance was involved.
Diaz hasn’t allowed an earned run in four games since returning from the disabled list (he missed two weeks with a shoulder injury) and converted both of his save opportunities.
This was a better showing for Diaz than when the Mets had him in May, when he had an 8.68 ERA and missed four of five save opportunities.
The Mets have relied heavily on Garrett, Dedniel Nunez and Jake Diekman in their bullpen.
The team also recalled starting pitcher Jose Butto from Triple-A Syracuse to add to their relief corps.
“Some days the guys got big outs and some days we just didn’t get the job done and that’s what it came down to,” coach Carlos Mendoza said. “I thought the guys did a really good job. Our starters got the extra base hits when we needed to. Our offense stepped up and scored when we needed to, so I’m really happy to have Diaz back.” [Saturday].”
Diaz’s absence was perhaps most felt last weekend when the Mets suffered back-to-back losses to the Astros and their relief pitchers struggled late innings.
Diekman’s struggles on Wednesday at Washington led to the loss.
“I don’t know what would have happened if we had Edwin or if we had one more spot, but we had no choice,” Adam Ottavino said. “We just have to deal with it and we’re getting through it.”
Another player lost due to Diaz’s suspension was Tyler Megill.
The Mets had planned to go with a six-man rotation that included Megill and Christian Scott, who were recalled from Syracuse on Wednesday.
But the Mets needed to bolster their bullpen and sent Megill to Syracuse along with left-handed relief pitcher Danny Young.
Mendoza indicated Friday he plans to stick with a five-man rotation heading into the All-Star break.
“Unfortunately, Tyler and Danny Young were demoted, they were guys that threw a lot and it’s unfortunate for them,” Garrett said, “but that’s the unfortunate part of the situation we’re in. [Diaz] That return is going to be really important for us going forward, and then it’s going to be a big run leading into the All-Star break and show where we are at.”
