New York Mets GM Billy Eppler announced the team will likely be without All-Star closer Edwin Díaz for the entire 2023 MLB season, after suffering a full-thickness tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee.
The injury occurred during Puerto Rico’s on-field celebration following their win over the Dominican Republic in Wednesday night’s World Baseball Classic game. The Puerto Rican players were jumping together in the infield when Díaz collapsed to the ground and quickly reached for his right leg; he did not put any weight on the leg before being taken off the field in a wheelchair.
The Mets said that Díaz underwent surgery Thursday afternoon, with Eppler telling reporters that the organization will not “update Edwin’s timeline for a while,” but noted that generally recovery from patellar tendon surgery takes eight months. Eppler added that Diaz was “in good spirits” ahead of the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. David Altchek.
Díaz, who turns 29 on March 22, signed a five-year deal worth $102 million last offseason — the largest reliever contract in history in terms of both total guarantee and average annual value. Díaz is coming off a historic season that saw him post a 1.31 ERA (297 ERA+) and a 6.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 62 innings. He also finished with 32 saves over the course of 61 appearances.
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