In a heartbreaking scene after yet another loss faced by the New York Mets, their star closer Edwin Diaz found himself being consoled by teammates Francisco Lindor and Sean Reid-Foley; his emotions couldn’t help but overflow in the wake of a devastating blown save against the Miami Marlins. This will mark Diaz’s third consecutive blown save this year—a stark contrast to his dominant 2022 season, where he secured 32 saves and earned an All-Star nod.

The usually stoic Diaz was seen visibly shaken, his head in his hands, as he wept openly in the locker room. SNY’s Steve Gelbs, who witnessed the raw display of emotion, reports, “Edwin Diaz did what he always does. Good or bad, he stood at his locker, spoke to the media and answered every single question, but then when we were done with the post-game scrum, Diaz sat down at his locker and all the emotion just came out.”

Clearly, the weight of his recent struggles had taken its toll. “I won’t lie, my confidence I feel is down right now,” Diaz admitted after the game. “I’m making pitches. I’m throwing strikes. I’m trying to do my best to help the team to win. Right now I’m not in that capacity.”

Coupled with the expectations following his triumphant return from a patellar tendon tear in 2023, the pressure of being the highest-paid reliever in baseball seems to have been crushing Edwin Diaz. Teammates Lindor and Reid-Foley offered words of support, acknowledging the immense pressure the closer faces and emphasizing the importance of sticking together as a team.

Carlos Mendoza—Diaz’s manager—initially expressed unwavering confidence in his closer, stating that “he’s still our closer and he will get through it.” However, the Queens are reportedly considering a closer-by-committee approach until Diaz regains his confidence, as a testament to the severity of his struggles.

Despite his emotional turmoil, Diaz remains committed to helping his team win, even suggesting an openness to a change in his role. “I’m open to everything,” he says. “I want to help my team to win. That’s my main thing.” Considering that his recent performances have been a far cry from his dominant 2022 season, it might just be the right change of scenario that makes Diaz get back in form again.

Edwin Diaz’s diminished velocity and control are becoming a concerning trend

This year, Diaz’s fastball velo is down 2.2 mph, with his slider’s velo dipping down to a meager 1.8 mph. He’s been struggling to generate swings and misses, and with his fastball control wavering so much, it has led to more walks and fewer strikes.

One of Diaz’s recurrent issues has been leaving his slider over the middle of the plate—a problem much reminiscent of his struggles back in 2019. This has in turn resulted in three home runs allowed on his slider in just 18 innings this year, which is a stark contrast to his previous dominance, to say the least.

Edwin Diaz’s confidence, understandably, has taken a hit. The ace admitted to feeling the pressure of not getting results and overthinking his approach a bit too much and a little too late on the mound. It’s crucial to remember here that Diaz has faced adversity before and bounced back—notably overcoming a season-long slump in 2019.

The Queens are hopeful that Diaz can rediscover his form soon enough and return to being the dominant closer they need him to be this year. As they explore alternative options for the closer role, the team remains supportive of Diaz, standing behind him, wishing for a steady mend while recognizing his dedication and the challenges he’s been facing.

The coming weeks will be crucial for Edwin Diaz as he seeks to regain his confidence and rediscover the magic that made him one of the most feared closers in baseball. The Mets, meanwhile, are now in dire need to find solutions in the bullpen as they navigate this challenging period.