Finding a solution to the disappearance of Edwin Diaz and Starling Marte

Lina Portman1 week ago

0 4 minutes read

NEW YORK — Carlos Mendoza said the Mets don't want a cloud hanging over them following Edwin Diaz's suspension for violating MLB's rules on illegal foreign substances.

For this reason, Diaz did not appeal the sanction and immediately began serving his suspension Tuesday evening. The Mets had no better news regarding Starling Marte, who suffered a deep bone bruise in his right knee and was placed on the 10-day injured list. Mendoza said it will be “four weeks before he's a player for us.”

Until then, the Mets will mix and match both late in games, out of the bullpen and in the outfield.

In Game 1 of the Subway Series on Tuesday night, the Mets found the perfect way to make the absences of Diaz and Marte questionable. The Mets offense hit four homers off Gerrit Cole, including two by Mark Vientos, and erupted for 12 hits to beat the Yankees, 9-7, before a sellout crowd of 42,824 at Citi Field.

“It starts with having really good hitters,” Mendoza said. “I like the way they prepare. I like the way we plan the game. Credit to the hitting coaches, obviously, for being on the same page with all the position players. Lots of veterans speak very clearly about our game. plan and execute.

This victory guaranteed that the Mets would either earn a series victory or split over their final seven series. They improved to 37-38 – one game under .500 for the first time since May 12.

Managing the absence of Edwin Diaz

Mendoza said the Mets will have to get creative to endure this 10-game stretch without Diaz or another replacement for him in the bullpen.

Diaz will be eligible to return June 6 against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. After Thursday's bye, the Mets will begin a 17-game stretch before the All-Star break.

“I'm pretty sure we'll have to mix some things up here, but you just have to take it one game at a time, see where you are at in the bullpen and then go from there,” Mendoza said. “The good thing is we have depth. We have people who have options and we're going to get through it.”

The Mets have five players with minor league options available on their pitching staff. In the bullpen, Dedniel Nuñez, Danny Young and Reed Garrett each carry options. The Mets could also send Tylor Megill or David Peterson.

On Tuesday, with an off day looming on Thursday, Mendoza wasn't afraid to empty his reserve after David Peterson was only able to get through 4⅓ of an inning.

First, Nuñez pitched 2⅔ innings with one run (no earned runs) allowed on one hit, with two strikeouts. Then, in the eighth, Mendoza used three separate relievers. Adam Ottavino opened the inning with a seven-run lead but gave up two baserunners. Danny Young gave up an RBI single and a walk before Garrett entered the game with the bases loaded to face Aaron Judge.

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A grand slam that drifted over the right-center field wall brought the Yankees within 9-7, but that didn't stop Garrett from striking out in the big game as he retired four straight batters for seal the victory.

“(He) continued to trust his throws, continued to stay on offense, (didn’t) let the moment get too big,” Mendoza said. “Obviously he gave one up to a pretty good hitter in a pretty important spot. I was telling him, 'That's where you want to be: right there.'

Mets offensive breakthrough

Before Tuesday's game, Mendoza said he felt good about who the Mets' replacement in right field would be.

Tyrone Taylor got his shot Tuesday and drove in the game's first run on an RBI single to the left side. Mendoza said McNeil could also see time in the field, while DJ Stewart remains an option.

The Mets also selected the contract of Ben Gamel from Triple-A Syracuse.

“Depending on the matchup, we will continue to mix and match,” Mendoza said. “We're going to get through this. The guys are going to step up. Marte is a big loss for us, but we feel good with what we have there.”

It will be a team effort to offset the production of Marte, who was hitting .278/.328/.416 with seven homers and 30 RBIs. However, Marte posted a -9 strikeouts above average in the outfield this season, one of the worst marks in MLB.

McNeil seemed to bounce back from his recent struggles, with two opposite-field singles and two runs against the Yankees.

But most of the Mets' damage came from the bottom of the lineup, with Vientos ripping two home runs and Harrison Bader adding another against Cole. Nimmo ripped a two-run shot off the Yankees' ace and added an RBI in the sixth inning.

The Mets built up enough of a lead to ensure their shorthanded bullpen wouldn't collapse.

“It's just the vibrations. The vibrations and the energy,” Vientos said. “Coming here, everyone is happy. Everyone is listening to music, getting along, having conversations. We're not just worried about the game. It's just like, 'Hey, let's have fun. Let’s have fun doing this and then we’ll go.” in the game and let's play.”

Managing the absence of Edwin Diaz

Mets offensive breakthrough

Lina Portman

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