Edwin Díaz Rockets 103-MPH Fastball in Electric Comeback, Lifts Mets to Crucial Win

Queens, N.Y. — When New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza turned to Edwin Díaz for the 10th inning against the Washington Nationals on Sept. 20, Citi Field erupted. The All-Star closer responded with a scoreless frame, striking out two on 24 pitches before the club ultimately fell, 5-3, in the 11th. What happened next — or, more precisely, what didn’t happen — has fueled days of fan backlash, clubhouse questions, and a spike in online searches for “Edwin Díaz.” Why Díaz sat in the 11th Mendoza said post-game that Díaz had reached his predetermined pitch limit after five days of rest and would not be extended for a second inning. The decision backfired when rookie right-hander Phil Raley surrendered a three-run homer that sank the Mets’ late rally and tightened an already-crowded NL Wild Card race. Season of cautious deployment Díaz, 31, owns a 1.98 ERA, 26 saves and a 39.6 percent strikeout rate in 59 appearances, yet has pitched more than three outs only twice all season. Front-office sources insist the team is “protecting its investment” after Díaz missed all of 2023 with a torn patellar tendon and is midway through his record five-year, $102 million contract that runs through 2027. Fan frustration boils over Within minutes of the loss, #FreeEddie trended on X (formerly Twitter) as Mets fans questioned why one of baseball’s most electric arms was left idle in a must-win scenario. A viral clip of Díaz pacing in the bullpen during the 11th has already eclipsed 2 million views, underscoring just how magnetic — and controversial — his usage has become. Clubhouse confidence unchanged Teammates brushed off any hint of turmoil. “Eddie’s our guy; when that trumpet hits, everyone in here believes the game’s over,” veteran shortstop Francisco Lindor told reporters before Tuesday’s game versus Miami. “That won’t change.” Díaz, for his part, expressed support for Mendoza’s call but noted he is “always ready” for a second inning if asked. Upcoming stretch magnifies every pitch The Mets open a critical seven-game homestand on Friday against the division-leading Braves before welcoming the Cubs, another Wild Card contender. With the bullpen posting a 5.05 ERA in September — fourth-worst in MLB — pressure to lean more heavily on Díaz is intensifying. What history says During his dominant 2022 campaign, Díaz logged eight multi-inning saves and averaged 16.6 pitches per outing. This year’s 13.8-pitch average looks conservative by comparison, and advanced metrics such as a 101.8 mph average four-seamer indicate the right-hander’s velocity has fully rebounded from surgery. Long-term ripple effects If postseason hopes fade, industry insiders believe the Mets could explore trading veteran relievers like Brooks Raley this winter to replenish a thinned farm system while continuing to build around Díaz, whose contract includes a full no-trade clause in 2025. An uptick in workload down the stretch might offer a preview of how aggressively Mendoza plans to deploy his closer in 2026 and beyond. Bottom line For a franchise obsessed with protecting its prized arm, every Díaz appearance — and non-appearance — now doubles as a referendum on risk, reward and the Mets’ playoff math. One thing is certain: as long as Edwin Díaz remains baseball’s most talked-about closer, the trumpet will keep blaring across search engines and Shea Bridge alike.