Apparently, a four-month layoff due to the ongoing pandemic did not help New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
After struggling big time in his first season with the Mets, the former Seattle Mariners All-Star is back up to his hold tricks in 2020.
Diaz’s last appearance included him blowing a save against the against the Atlanta Braves. He followed that up Thursday by yielding a run and letting four batters on base in 0.1 innings of work against the Boston Red Sox.
The culmination of Diaz’s outing was a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to plate a run and give the Red Sox a 4-2 lead in the top of the ninth.
At this point, it’s rather obvious that Diaz has no confidence out on the mound. That’s the last thing you want to see from a closer.
The frustration is clearly starting to mount. Blowing a save in a 60-game season takes on new meaning. Not being able to hold a team to a one-run lead late in your next appearance adds another layer to that.
Needless to say, the MLB world had its reactions to Diaz’s most-recent blow up from the bump.