Edwin Diaz, the New York Mets’ closer, underwent surgery on Thursday to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee.
As a result, the Mets will not be paying Diaz during his time on the injured list, and the responsibility falls on Major League Baseball (MLB) through insurance provisions.
Diaz’s injury occurred while he was participating in the World Baseball Classic.
Diaz is set to receive $17.25 million this season, which will be covered in full by MLB’s insurance if he does not return to pitch this year.
Mets General Manager Billy Eppler has indicated that Diaz is most likely facing an eight-month rehab, which means the Mets will need to fill the void left by one of the game’s top closers.
Diaz’s knee injury occurred during a Wednesday on-field celebration following Puerto Rico’s victory over the Dominican Republic.
He was carried off the field by teammates and then exited the field via wheelchair.
In 2013, Mark Teixeira returned to the Yankees from the WBC with a wrist injury, and MLB insurance provisions covered his salary for the two months he spent on the injured list.
Puerto Rico Manager Yadier Molina told reporters afterwards that he was hugging coaches in the dugout, and when they looked up, Edwin was on the ground.
Molina did not know how to act, stating that it got him by surprise.
Justin Verlander said that losing Diaz was a tough blow for the Mets.
He believes that it is tough to stay healthy and tough to have an injury at this point of the year when optimism is so high and everyone is ready to go.
Verlander also noted that it is not easy for any team to go through an entire season without a major blow.
»Edwin Diaz’s knee injury leaves Mets with void to fill«
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