Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has a theory regarding why All-Star closer Edwin Diaz hasn't been his dominant self at times early this season. 

"I’m not making excuses for him, but this is his first year with the pitch clock, you know? I’m trying to slow everything down," Lindor told Manny Gomez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com shortly after New York's 6-5 extra-innings win at the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. "At the end of the day, this is his first time working with the clock, and he’s working too fast." 

It was said last spring that veteran Mets pitchers were struggling to adapt to the new pitch clock. Of course, Diaz missed all of the 2023 season due to a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. 

Diaz blew his second straight save opportunity in the ninth inning of what became a New York victory on Thursday. According to RotoWire (h/t CBS Sports), the 30-year-old reliever has failed to convert saves in three of his last four chances and has surrendered six runs over his last eight innings of work. 

Per Robert Sanchez of SNY, Diaz acknowledged following Thursday's game that he has tried "to stay calm and make my pitches" while dealing with the pitch clock. 

"I was out [for] a year and that’s no excuse," Diaz added. "I just try to keep working and they trust in me so as soon as they give me the ball in any situation, I will do my job. I feel like I’m pretty close to getting back to my form and as soon as I get it we’re stepping on it and [going]." 

It's difficult to imagine the 20-23 Mets will remain in the wild-card playoff hunt through the summer if Diaz doesn't soon reclaim his best form. Team owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns both insisted on Thursday they aren't yet thinking about the Mets becoming sellers ahead of the trade deadline, but ESPN's Paul Hembekides previously suggested Diaz could be made available to other teams in July if the Amazins plummet toward the bottom of the National League standings. 

"Edwin is a great closer," a confident Lindor said. "At the end of the day, he’s looking for results early in the season, and they’re going to come."

Ahead of Friday's MLB action, Diaz possessed a 3.57 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP on the season. He has recorded five saves across his first 17 games, covering 17 2/3 innings.