Puerto Rico’s celebrations after its World Baseball Classic victory against the Dominican Republic quickly turned to concern as star relief pitcher Edwin Díaz appeared to suffer a significant leg injury.
After closing out the game on Wednesday evening, Díaz was seen on the ground clutching at his leg amid the team’s celebrations.
Medical staff came onto the field to attend to him on the mound, and he was helped off the field by trainers while his teammates looked on anxiously.
Díaz pitched the bottom half of the ninth inning for Puerto Rico, registering the save in the 5–2 victory. It’s not entirely clear how he sustained the injury, but he was down on the ground with one pant leg rolled up, clearly in discomfort. The star closer was then placed into a wheelchair after making his way off the field.
Díaz’s brother Alexis looked on with tears in his eyes while other members of Puerto Rico's squad appeared to be in disbelief.
Fortunately, Díaz was able to give the crowd an encouraging wave as he exited the field in the wheelchair, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The 28-year-old has spent seven years in MLB, featuring primarily as a closer. A 57-save season in 2018 with the Mariners was followed by a trade to the Mets, where he has spent the last four years. Prior to Wednesday’s injury, he recorded two saves and allowed two earned runs in four appearances for Puerto Rico at the WBC.
Puerto Rico advanced to the next round of the tournament with the victory, while the Dominican Republic was eliminated from the field, though the main concern will be surrounding Díaz’s untimely injury.
