Star relief pitcher Edwin Díaz suffered a torn patellar tendon while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win in the World Baseball Classic Wednesday, Mets general manager Bill Eppler revealed Thursday afternoon.
Díaz will undergo surgery later on Thursday, Eppler said, after imaging revealed a “full-thickness tear” of the patellar tendon in the reliever’s right knee. The expected recovery timeline for the 28-year-old is approximately eight months, jeopardizing his chances of playing at all during the 2023 MLB season.
After closing out the game on Wednesday evening, Díaz was seen celebrating with his Puerto Rico teammates before ending up on the ground, clutching at his right leg. Medical personnel came onto the field to attend to him and later helped him into the dugout while his teammates looked visibly shaken at the postgame events.
Díaz, who registered the save in Puerto Rico’s 5–2 victory, has developed into one of baseball’s elite closers during his seven years in MLB. After beginning his career with the Mariners, Seattle traded Díaz to the Mets following an All-Star season and he has spent the last four years in New York. In 2022, Díaz earned his second All-Star nod while posting a 1.31 ERA and recording 32 saves in 61 appearances.
