"Diaz sat down and all the emotion came out" - MLB broadcaster reports Mets closer Edwin Diaz's postgame breakdown amid struggles

On Saturday, the New York Mets lost the road series against the host Miami Marlins with a close 10-9 result in extra innings. It was yet another bad day for Edwin Diaz, who now has a 5.50 ERA in 18.0 innings in 18 games.

Diaz missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his right patellar tendon while celebrating victory with his Puerto Rico national team in the World Baseball Classic last year. He started his season in March 2024, looking for a rebound after the long break.

However, in his last three games, he earned seven runs in 2.1 innings. On Saturday, when Diaz replaced Adam Ottavino in the ninth inning, the Mets were leading the game 9-5, and only an inning was left to claim the victory. But Edwin Díaz blew the game.

He gave up four runs with a single out, which tied the game, and in the extra inning, the Marlins won the game. According to Steve Gelbs, a Mets broadcaster, Diaz broke down after his postgame interview.

“In a postgame clubhouse, Edwin Diaz did what he always does, good or bad. He stood at his locker, spoke to the media, answered every single question. But then we were done with the postgame scrum. Diaz sat down on his locker, and all the emotion just came out. He put his head in his hands and he started crying,” Gelbs said.

Gelbs also added that the Mets have firm confidence in Diaz’s comeback.

“This really is eating away at Edwin Diaz right now. So badly wants to perform for the fans, for his teammates, for himself, for his family, and just right now, he's lost that confidence,” he added.

“The Mets still do believe that the Edwin Diaz of old is in there. The stuff is still there, and he'll get back to it sooner rather than later.”

Mets skipper believes Edwin Diaz is still a “huge part” of Mets lineup

Carlos Mendoza, the Mets' manager, reckons Edwin Diaz is one of the team's core players despite his recent struggles. He believes that getting Diaz back on track is his task.

“At the end of the day, Edwin is a huge part of this team,” Mendoza said, per Associated Press. “We’re going to need Edwin Diaz to be himself. Right now, he’s going through a rough stretch. Our job is to get him back on track.”

Diaz is also ready for any assignment the Mets will ask him to do.

“I’m open to everything,” Diaz said. “I want to help my team to win. That’s my main thing. If they want to talk to me about that and I feel good about it, I agree on it. I just want to win games in any position they put me.”

Out of 18 games, Diaz has finished only nine so far. The Mets have not made him an everyday closer but kept him as a reliever until he finds his pace.