The Mets Bullpen Is Facing A Crisis

Team Puerto Rico achieved what few of us thought they could: they knocked out Team Dominican Republic from the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

The Dominicans were seen as the favorites to advance to the quarterfinals, but couldn’t get out of the tough Pool D: Venezuela and Puerto Rico advanced.

After defeating DR 5-2 on Wednesday, Puerto Rican players obviously celebrated on the field.

In that celebration, the jumping and the screaming, New York Mets closer and Puerto Rico star Edwin Diaz hurt his right knee.

Fans now know he is likely out for the entire season.

The Mets bullpen is currently in shambles without its best man, but other arms are currently on the shelf.

“In less than a week, the Mets have taken a serious bullpen hit, losing Brooks Raley to a hamstring strain, Bryce Montes de Oca to a stress reaction in his elbow, Sam Coonrod to a lat strain and now Edwin Díaz to a knee injury. Only Raley seems likely to be there Opening Day,” Mets insider Anthony DiComo tweeted.

In less than a week, the Mets have taken a serious bullpen hit, losing Brooks Raley to a hamstring strain, Bryce Montes de Oca to a stress reaction in his elbow, Sam Coonrod to a lat strain and now Edwin Díaz to a knee injury. Only Raley seems likely to be there Opening Day.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 16, 2023

The unit still has top-notch names such as David Robertson, Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith, and John Curtiss, among others.

However, on the wake of Diaz’s injury (which has the look of a long-term issue), it probably forces the Mets to take one last look at free agency or the trade mark to shore up their relief corps.

There is just too much stake for them to enter the year with a mediocre, short-handed bullpen.