Mets' Díaz won't pitch this season with team out of contention
New York Mets right-hander Edwin Díaz won't pitch this season.
"It's too risky," Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner told MLB.com's Jeremy Hefner. "I'm not as concerned about the pitching. It's more about fielding. ... If we were in a different situation as a team, we would probably push to the point that he'd be pitching in games right now."
Díaz will continue to throw bullpen sessions until the end of September, but the Mets won't rush him back since they're not in playoff contention. The 29-year-old will go through a normal offseason and be ready to pitch in 2024.
The two-time All-Star closer hasn't pitched in 2023 after suffering a right knee injury during an on-field celebration at the World Baseball Classic in March.
He underwent surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee that month and was hopeful for a 2023 return.
The Mets enter Monday 8.5 games out of a wild-card spot with no chance to win the National League East division. Their bullpen struggled without its closer this season, ranking last in the NL in fWAR and 13th in ERA.
Díaz played an integral role in New York's bullpen last year, recording a 1.31 ERA, 17.1 K/9, and 32 saves in 61 appearances.