According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the New York Mets’ new closer, Edwin Diaz is not expected to make his initial Spring Training appearance until next Saturday in Port St. Lucie against the Houston Astros.
Puma alluded to the Mets “planning to conserve [Diaz’] bullets” as the motive behind holding him back.
Diaz, 24, was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in early December, along with second baseman Robinson Cano, in the trade that sent outfielder Jay Bruce, reliever Anthony Swarzak, and prospects Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn, and Gerson Bautista to the Pacific Northwest.
After pitching to a 3.06 earned-run average with 177 strikeouts, 47 walks allowed, a 3.15 fielding independent pitching rating, 1.156 WHIP, and a 135 ERA+ over his first 115 major-league appearances (2016 and 2017), the Puerto Rican native had himself a breakout season in 2018.
Over 73 appearances for the Mariners, Diaz finished an MLB-leading 65 games, leading the majors with his 57 saves, and pitched to a 1.96 ERA, 1.61 FIP rating, with 0.791 WHIP, 15.22 strikeouts and 2.09 walks per nine innings, and 3.5 wins above replacement (FanGraphs).
