PITTSBURGH — Edwin Diaz apologized to Mets teammates when he realized he could be suspended 10 video games for violating MLB’s sticky substance rule.
“I apologized to the blokes as a result of I used to be leaving them for 10 video games and it was mainly 11 video games as a result of that day I didn’t pitch,” Diaz stated Saturday. “After that, everybody was with me. They’d my again. All the pieces was good.”
In his return, Diaz fired a scoreless ninth inning — with successful batter — for the save within the Mets’ 5-2 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park.
Earlier than the sport, Diaz maintained his innocence and stated there isn’t a motive for him to vary his methodology.
The suitable-hander stated he was utilizing a mix of rosin, sweat and filth when he was ejected for a international substance on his proper hand on June 23 at Wrigley Subject earlier than he even threw a pitch.
“I’ll do the identical factor — I didn’t have something that day,” Diaz stated. “I’ll do the identical factor. I’ll rub rosin, filth and sweat. That’s how I’ve grip on my ball and I’ll preserve doing the identical factor.”
How will Diaz guarantee it doesn’t occur once more?
“I’ll preserve doing the factor I used to be doing,” he stated. “I feel I ought to be effective.”
He was examined by umpires upon getting into the sport on at the present time and stated it was a normal verify.
Relatively than attraction the suspension, which might have meant presenting his case to MLB officers, the right-hander selected to just accept the punishment and instantly start his suspension.
Diaz was requested why, if harmless, he selected to waive his attraction.
“To show the web page,” Diaz stated. “I talked to the coaches and if we appealed I would wait three or 4 extra days after which get suspended for 10 video games. We needed to maneuver ahead so I began from Day 1.”
Diaz joined Max Scherzer and Drew Smith amongst Mets pitchers suspended over the past two seasons for violating the rule on international substances.
The Mets went 5-5 with Diaz suspended.
Most notably, they struggled to get outs within the late innings final weekend once they misplaced two video games in opposition to the Astros.
After which there was a Wednesday loss in opposition to the Nationals by which the bullpen was an element.
“It was powerful as a result of I ought to have been there,” Diaz stated. “I used to be making an attempt to help them from the skin … each time I got here to the sport I used to be rooting for them to get the outs and get the win.”
Diaz confronted hitters in reside batting apply twice within the final week in an try to preserve sharp.
After returning final month from a stint on the injured listing with a shoulder impingement, the right-hander had 4 scoreless appearances for the Mets main into the suspension.
It adopted a hellacious Could for Diaz by which he blew 4 of his 5 save alternatives and stated he was coping with a lack of confidence.
Diaz missed all of final season rehabbing from surgical procedure after tearing the patellar tendon in his proper knee throughout a celebration on the World Baseball Traditional.
“At present I did my job,” Diaz stated “I simply need to preserve doing my job and assist this group win.”
