The Mets watched one of their worst fears unfold Wednesday at the World Baseball Classic.
After Puerto Rico defeated the Dominican Republic 5-2 to advance out of Pool D and into the quarterfinals, New York closer Edwin Díaz suffered a serious-looking knee injury in the celebration.
Díaz went to the turf and was helped off the field into a wheelchair after being attended to. This will all but certainly end his World Baseball Classic; now, the wait begins for news on his status ahead of the MLB season.
Edwin Diaz injury update
It appears Diaz will miss the 2023 season after the injury. The Mets announced he has a tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee, and will require surgery to repair the injury.
Edwin Díaz underwent imaging today that revealed a full-thickness tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee. He will have surgery today performed by Dr. David Altchek.
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 16, 2023
SNY's Andy Martino reported that doctors were examining Díaz at loanDepot Park in Miami, the site of Puerto Rico-Dominican Republic. Martino later reported that Diaz
Don't use Edwin Diaz injury as excuse to weaken future WBCsThe injury came the day after Dodgers and Canada first baseman Freddie Freeman was pulled from a game with a hamstring tinge. That move turned out to be precautionary.
This injury looked far more serious. Díaz was surrounded by his Puerto Rico teammates near the mound; his brother Alexis Díaz, a Puerto Rico and Reds reliever, was crying. The Dominican Republic team was also watching the scene unfold.
Edwin Diaz appears to have suffered an injury during Puerto Rico's celebration pic.twitter.com/G9Md6SBrEj
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2023The Mets imposed restrictions on Puerto Rico's usage of Díaz in the World Baseball Classic, including not throwing him back-to-back days, per the New York Post.
MORE: What to know about WBC pitch counts, usage limits & more
Díaz was nothing short of spectacular for the Mets last season, logging 32 saves with a 1.31 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. He signed a five-year, $102 million contract early in the offseason.
Closer is a position the Mets had fully reserved for Díaz. Next men up includes Adam Ottavino, David Robertson and Brooks Raley. Ottavino logged 11 saves for the Red Sox in 2021, while Robertson had 20 last year with the Cubs and Phillies. Raley saved six games for the Rays in 2022 with a 2.68 ERA in 53.2 innings of work.
AllSportsPeople will update this story as more information becomes available.