TheNew York Metsand their fans were told that star reliever Edwin Diaz was lost for the season after he suffered a painful knee injury thar required surgery.
The fireballer underwent successful surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee on March 16 and was given a 6-8 month timeline to return.
That meant he was, and still is, likely to miss the 2023 campaign.
However, there is an outside chance he comes back in time to help the Mets in September and October.
If Friday is any indication, fans hopes will skyrocket.
Edwin D az working out at Citi Field
(via @SNYtv)pic.twitter.com/ceKv5Ht709
FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 16, 2023
Per FOX Sports MLB, Diaz was spotted throwing at Citi Field on Friday.
The video shows that he is still far from doing it at max effort or from a mound, but seeing him getting his arm loose in mid-June is extremely promising.
The Mets could very much use his talent in the back of their bullpen.
Diaz was a star in 2022, with a 1.31 ERA and 118 strikeouts in just 62 innings with the Mets.
The injury is to Diaz s back leg, the one that provides support in the middle of his delivery.
Judging by the video, it looks like the confidence he has on that leg supporting the weight of his body is increasing.
With each passing week, he will start testing out the leg by increasing the intensity of the delivery.
He will have to graduate to throwing bullpens, live batting practice, and then go on a rather long rehab assignment.
Will he have enough time to clear all those hurdles before the 2023 season expires?
No one knows, but his chances are definitely looking better now than, say, back in March when he was on crutches.