Edwin Diaz explains what led to his early-season struggles

Aug 25, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) reacts after recording a strike out to during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz was expected to fortify the back of the team’s bullpen after missing all of 2023 due to a knee injury. For the first two months of the season, however, Diaz looked nothing like a lockdown closer.

Diaz was activated from the injured list on Thursday and looked more like his old self. After the game, he offered a theory on what was behind his struggles to start the year: he ramped up too quickly in spring training after a year away and wore out his shoulder.

“I think it was more being down a year,” Diaz told Andy Martino of SNY. “In spring training I ramped up quick. Maybe my shoulder was a little tired. I think it was.”

Diaz added that his shoulder felt “heavy,” which he saw as the outcome of his lack of work during the offseason. That feeling is gone now.

When Diaz was placed on the IL about two weeks ago, his ERA was 5.40 and he had seemingly lost the confidence of his manager. On Thursday against the Miami Marlins, he threw a perfect inning with a strikeout and a fastball that touched triple digits. That is much more in line with what the Mets expected.

In his last healthy season of 2022, Diaz posted a 1.31 ERA and was one of the game’s most dominant closers. The Mets will be hoping to see something closer to that the rest of the way.