Edwin Díaz returns from suspension and restores much-needed order to the Mets bullpen

PITTSBURGH — In one of the best signs of a handful of much-needed quality players for the New York Mets and their bullpen on Saturday, Edwin Díaz returned from his suspension and long layoff with a convincing performance.

Díaz, who had been suspended for 10 games for a sticky stuff violation, made his first appearance since June 18 – almost three weeks ago – and saved the Mets in a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Díaz described the examination of the sticky material before his performance on Saturday as unremarkable. He said he was not alarmed by it, but his excitement grew after he finished his warm-up throws.

Edwin Díaz passed his test for sticky substances. pic.twitter.com/UZeH78RFN6

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 6, 2024

After hitting Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz with his third pitch (all fastballs), Díaz settled down. He struck out the next batter, first baseman Rowdy Tellez, with four pitches using only fastballs. After starting the next batter, designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, with two sliders, Díaz resorted to his fastball again, hitting a game-ending double play. His appearance required 10 pitches. He averaged 97.6 mph with his fastball, 0.4 mph higher than his average for the season, which was a cause for concern a few months ago.

Before his return from suspension, Díaz had manipulated several simulated games.

“I was ready,” Díaz said.

This also applied to the Mets.

In the 10 games without Díaz, the Mets bullpen had an ERA of 8.37, the worst in the major leagues during that span (the Toronto Blue Jays were second-worst with an ERA of 7.29).

Just like in May, when Díaz was either struggling or on the injured list, the Mets bullpen has recently shown that it is incapable of holding a lead without him.

The return of Díaz doesn’t change the story of their bullpen. To compete, they need to sign capable relievers. But if Díaz continues to throw like he did Saturday, with conviction on the fastball and the tough situation behind him, he will undoubtedly help.

“It’s a totally different game when you know Edwin Díaz is ready to go in the ninth inning,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

With some key pitchers more rested than they had been recently and Díaz present, Mendoza was able to make more aggressive decisions from the start.

Mendoza’s assignment after starting pitcher David Peterson was as follows: José Buttó, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez and Díaz.

The Mets (43-44) would prefer their starters to be in the game longer, but otherwise the situation was ideal with Buttó providing length and Núñez and Díaz covering the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Until – or unless – the Mets add players before or at the trade deadline, this is a combination that could continue to work.

Mendoza retired Peterson with one out in the fifth inning. That’s something he hasn’t been able to do voluntarily lately; he should have been more conservative and pushed the starters in some cases.

Before the fifth inning began, Mendoza tipped off the right-handed Buttó that he would likely only face a few batters ahead of the left-handed Peterson, as right-handers were in the middle of the order. Since he had been in the starting lineup in games all year until last week, that communication will have to be a key going forward to get the most out of Buttó, who continued to impress in his new role with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

From there, Mendoza switched to Garrett, a right-hander with similar numbers against righties and lefties, for the seventh inning. Things got dicey, though. Garrett escaped a bases-loaded situation without allowing a run after allowing one hit and two walks. That’s the concern from here on out: The Mets need to reduce the use of Garrett and left-hander Jake Diekman even further, even though they simply don’t have many options for late-on-the-field work outside of Adam Ottavino (who was moved to less important roles), Núñez and Díaz.

Núñez – who needed just eight pitches for his perfect inning, lowering his ERA to 2.33 – and Díaz may offer a glimpse of a formidable back-end duo, especially if concerns about Díaz continue to subside.

A new problem of sorts with Díaz: Mendoza preferred Francisco Alvarez at catcher, even though Alvarez didn’t start the game after being hit in the elbow by a 98 mph fastball from Paul Skenes on Friday night. Before the game, Alvarez said he was in pain but would be OK and tests were negative. Still, it was odd to see Alvarez used in that spot, especially since backup catcher Luis Torrens was 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Mendoza had done the same in a game before the suspension. Clearly, the Mets want Díaz (4.50 ERA) to show up in ideal shape to get him going.

“I’m trying to get Díaz going here too,” Mendoza said.

Díaz is comfortable with Alvarez and hasn’t worked much with Torrens (the Mets signed him on May 31), but said he respects the way Torrens commentates on games, has talked to him before the game and would throw him the ball if asked.

With Alvarez being the up-and-coming star catcher anyway, the Mets have other problems to worry about.

They need to make sure Díaz continues to look good because they’ve already learned how important he is. Díaz isn’t just the highly paid closer who’s supposed to decide games; he solidifies the bullpen, brings order to the game, and allows others to take on roles they’re better suited for. Those are big things, especially in a bullpen that’s devoid of reliable options.

Therefore, a successful return by Díaz and the Mets was paramount. Although he continued to say he only used sweat, dirt and rosin, without any illegal substances, Díaz accepted his suspension rather than appeal because he did not want to undergo a lengthy process that could have caused him to miss 10 games anyway. Generally, pitchers have not appealed suspensions for sticky substances in the past because they see it as a waste of time since the hearing is not before an independent panel.

Díaz said he felt no guilt because he had done nothing wrong, but he apologized to his teammates the night he was fired because he was unavailable for the next 10 games. The Mets went 5-5 without him. On Saturday, they ended their first three-game losing streak since May 29.

With the depth of their bullpen put to the test, the Mets approached their lifetime limit without Díaz and felt the effects. Díaz said he put the situation behind him after discussing it with the team. From now on, the Mets hope to do the same.

“I put it behind me after that day, after apologizing to my teammates after that game,” Díaz said. “I just want to keep doing my job and help this team win.”

(Photo: Justin Berl / Getty Images)