Edwin Diaz Hurts Knee in World Baseball Classic Celebration

This isn’t the craziest story of a New York Mets injured player. It’s just the latest this spring, their second in the tournament and that’s why this tournament has to be at the end of a season. The worry was players like Edwin Diaz would be playing much harder than they do early in spring training. It’s not part of their normal spring routine. Now the Mets closer were jumping up and down celebrating when Puerto Rico advanced until he wasn’t. He was then carried and eventually taken off in a wheelchair. The prognosis isn’t expected to be good.

Alexis Diaz was brought to tears after his brother Edwin suffered an injury after Puerto Rico's win pic.twitter.com/y4zQ5Lod6F

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2023

What The Mets Bullpen Might Look Like Now

The Mets will probably use Adam Ottavino as the lefty closer and David Robertson as the righty. It’s not quite as good as the 1986 and beyond duo of Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell but it’s not bad either. Now there will be a spot open while Diaz is either rehabbing or out for the season. That means the Mets will probably sign Zack Britton who played for Buck Showalter during his time with the Orioles. I don’t love this potential move. The pitchers Buck has brought in haven’t done well. They were better when they were with Baltimore, but that was too many years ago. Still, this is probably going to happen.

The WBC is a Money-Making Venture

The WBC makes Major League Baseball money. Extra money. And the MLBPA signed on to do this once again. Now they have to re-think this. Either play in October or end it altogether. What’s more important, is the MLB season or a moment in time when players get to wear their country’s colors while playing baseball in March. It’s all unnecessary and signing off on this again in the future might not make any sense at all. If players want to wear their country’s colors in a game? Then wait for baseball in the Olympics again and that’s that. This isn’t the Olympics; in the grand scheme of things this tournament has no real meaning. It’s an exhibition.

I Wonder How Owners Feel About the WBC Today

I’m sure Mets owner, Steven Cohen isn’t happy. I’m sure there were some swear words that came out of his mouth when he heard about it or was watching it. We are all concerned for the health of Diaz as well. It’s a mixture of emotions today for Mets fans and a lot of other fans who were concerned. I heard from Phillies fans and Yankees fans. Some said they were enjoying the tournament, and some said they weren’t watching. After something like this, I wonder how many major league players would prefer to go back to training camp now. Of course, that’s not an option but it makes me wonder.