On Thursday, the New York Mets announced that All-Star Edwin Diaz is expected to miss the 2023 Major League Baseball season after tearing his patellar tendon in a World Baseball Classic game.
The 28-year-old pitcher joined the World Baseball Classic (WBC) last Wednesday, advancing Puerto Rico into the quarterfinals with a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic. However, just as he was commemorating the victory, he sustained an injury on his right knee.
His fellow Puerto Rico team members watched as Diaz strained to walk with his right leg, only to leave the field in a wheelchair. The Mets said that Diaz would undergo medical imaging just before revealing the severity of his injuries.
While only a rough estimate, the Mets’ general manager Billy Eppler noted that Diaz would need eight months to recover after his surgery on Thursday. The All-Star reassured fans during his recovery, tweeting about his physical condition.
DK Nation
2023-03-18 12:12
MLB INJURY ALERT: Mets RP Edwin Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee and is expected to miss the season, per @JeffPassan. https://t.co/nqKT5JbDaV
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“To all my beloved fans, especially the Mets fans, I want to let you know that I am doing well and healing. I feel blessed and grateful for your support with messages and prayers,” Diaz said.
Diaz signed a five-year contract with the Mets worth over $102 million. As per Major League Baseball’s insurance policy, the league will cover $18.64 million of his 2023 policy as he recovers. The WBC will also compensate the Mets up to $19.65 million of Diaz’s salary.
However, Diaz’s injury would leave the Mets without their All-Star just weeks before the start of the season, leading many to question whether MLB players should risk injury in the WBC.
“In general, we are not given too many opportunities to stand in the way when a player goes to the WBC. There are certain criteria that have to be met for a player to not go,” Eppler said.
Eppler provided a recent objection with Starling Marte as a rare example. While the Mets cannot block players from joining the WBC, they pointed to Marte’s off-season abdominal injuries to keep him away from the Classics. However, almost all of the Mets infield still joined the WBC despite numerous concerns for the upcoming MLB.
Classics concerns
In light of Diaz’s injuries, the Mets and MLB fans on Twitter questioned the importance of the WBC, citing a need for new regulations regarding MLB players’ participation in the Classics.
Diaz’s significance in plays was repeatedly highlighted. In the wake of his loss, the team will likely replace him with veteran closer David Robertson or pitcher Adam Ottavino.
However, notable sports figures rejected the idea of denying MLB players their rights to the WBC. Sports podcaster Jared Carrabis was especially scathing towards critics, citing a lack of understanding of why MLB players join the WBC in the first place.
“Can’t sleep. Thinking about how awesome the WBC is and how anybody who hates on it is a dumbass,” Carrabis said.
Jared Carrabis
2023-03-18 12:12
Can’t sleep. Thinking about how awesome the World Baseball Classic is and how anybody who hates on it is a dumbass.
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Carrabis’s comments also highlight the popularity of WBC for the global public. The Classics reportedly drew in over a million spectators in its first round this year, competing with Super Bowl ratings.
Many of these spectators come from various backgrounds, coming together to support their teams’ nationalities. For example, one report noted that 61 percent of screens in Puerto Rico showcased the Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico match when it first aired.
While Diaz’s recent injury is a great tragedy for Mets fans, many still support and look forward to the Classics games.
