New York Mets right-handed reliever Edwin Diaz expressed his interest in returning to pitch for Team Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, according to Mark Sanchez of the New York Post.
“I didn’t get hurt pitching,” Diaz told Sanchez. “That’s something that can happen at my house or wherever. If I was pitching, maybe I would be a little bit scared to return.”
Diaz tore his Achilles in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami at loanDepot park against the Dominican Republic, after celebrating a 5-2 win. As a result, he missed the entire 2023 season, and did not make his return to the mound until the start of the 2024 regular season.
Before the injury, Diaz was considered one of the best closers in Major League Baseball. In 2022, he was an All-Star, won the MLB Reliever of the Year Award, and was named to the All-MLB first team.
Diaz made his major league debut in 2016, and in 2018, he had a breakout season, leading the majors with 57 saves for the Seattle Mariners. He also won the Reliever of the Year Award in 2018.
After that season, he was traded to the Mets along with Robinson Cano in exchange for outfielder Jay Bruce, right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak and three at-the-time Mariners prospects: Jared Kelenic, Justin Dunn and Gerson Bautista.
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From 2016 to 2022, Diaz pitched 399 1/3 innings with 657 strikeouts, an ERA of 2.93, 205 saves, and a strikeouts-per-nine rate of 14.8.
In his first season back from injury in 2024, he regressed slightly, with an ERA of 3.52 in 53 innings, which was his lowest number of innings pitched since 2020 and his fewest since his first season in 2016. He also blew seven saves on the season.
This season, he looks more like his old self with an ERA of 1.51 in 41 2/3 innings with 64 strikeouts. Diaz is 22-for-24 in save opportunities this season. His numbers from 2024 to 2025 are 95 1/3 innings, 146 strikeouts, a 2.64 ERA, and 42 saves. His strikeouts-per-nine rate is 13.8 during this span.
Diaz would be a massive boost to Puerto Rico’s bullpen in the WBC. The bullpen could also feature returns from his brother, Dodgers reliever Alexis Diaz, Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz, Reds reliever Emilio Pagan, Mets minor league right-hander Dominic Hamel, free agent righty Jorge Lopez, and Saraperos de Saltillo right-hander Alex Claudio. Atlanta Braves right-hander Joe Jimenez could also be in the mix.
Edwin Diaz would definitely be the best arm in Puerto Rico’s bullpen. He is now starting to pitch more than one inning as the games are becoming more important, with a postseason push underway. He has thrown more than one inning in five of his 41 appearances this season.
“When I feel good, I feel good,” Diaz said. “Today, I felt good. Anytime they need me, if I physically can go out there and compete, I will. Early in the season, pitching one inning is usually better, but now that the second half has started and we’re competing to make the playoffs, we’ve got to win games and I’ve got to be ready to get more outs,” Diaz told the New York Post on July 23.
All Star Game Cleats: Edwin Diaz’ Edwin Mr. Met ⚾️ x Timmy Trumpet 🎺 x Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.
Customs by @stadiumck. pic.twitter.com/wgoouv98QP
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 15, 2025
This quote came directly after Diaz got a four-out save against the Los Angeles Angels in a 6-3 win at Citi Field on July 23. He gave up no runs and struck out two batters.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz (39) reacts after the team’s victory over the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game Saturday, July 26, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
