Edwin Díaz was wheeled off the field in a wheelchair after suffering a right knee injury. That is, during the celebration of Puerto Rico’s victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. A match that took place on Wednesday night, which was a surprising scene. It’s unclear how severe the injury is. Furthermore, the Mets announced that he will undergo further tests on Thursday. Unfortunately, the way his teammates looked shocked while standing around him did not seem promising.
This injury is exactly what baseball teams and fans fear the most. Obviously, when their high-paid players go to represent their countries in the WBC. It’s worth noting that Díaz signed a $102 million, five-year contract with the Mets in November.
While playing in a game against Colombia for the United States team. The Mets players Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil were informed about Díaz’s injury by a coach. After their 3-2 win in Phoenix, Alonso expressed his sorrow: “It’s just really heartbreaking to hear about Edwin.”
He went on to acknowledge the risks associated with playing baseball. “Every day you show up to the yard, there’s a possibility of getting hurt. There’s hazard in the job. Anyone can get hurt at any given time. Anything can happen. That’s the risk we run playing baseball. We’re athletes, and injuries are unfortunately part of the game.”
MOST PRONE TO INJURIES ARE THE BASEBALL PLAYERS:
Baseball players are prone to injuries. As recently seen with Infielder Gavin Lux tearing his knee and Los Angeles teammate Freddie Freeman injuring his hamstring. Thus, while playing in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The intensity of the games in the WBC often worries Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. Precisely, about the safety of their players participating in the event.
After helping the US win a game, three-time AL MVP Mike Trout of the Angels acknowledged the risk involved in playing in the WBC, but also stated that baseball is baseball, whether it’s played in spring training or the WBC.
Puerto Rican pitcher Edwin Díaz was swarmed by his teammates after pitching a perfect ninth inning in a 5-2 win that clinched Puerto Rico a spot in the WBC quarterfinals. While jumping together in the infield, Díaz collapsed and immediately reached for his right leg. He was in tears and did not put any weight on his right leg as a coach and trainer helped him limp towards the dugout.
Edwin Díaz brother, Reds pitcher Alexis Díaz, and Mets teammate Francisco Lindor stood nearby in shock. The injury is a nightmare scenario for both Mets fans and the WBC, as it fuels the argument that it’s not a good idea for big league teams to loan out players for international play. Díaz’s injury is critical to the Mets’ World Series aspirations, and without him, newcomer David Robertson will likely be next in line for the closer’s spot.
ACCORDING TO THE MANAGER OF PUERTO RICO:
Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said Díaz underwent testing at the stadium. Edwin Díaz is a two-time All-Star and two-time reliever of the year who converted 32 saves for the Mets last season with a 1.31 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings. Díaz is hardly the first pro athlete injured during a rowdy celebration. His injury is sure to reignite the debate about the safety of participating in the WBC.
The WBC has rules in place to protect players, particularly pitchers, from getting injured, such as limiting pitchers to 65 pitches per outing in the first round. But few could have imagined the scene that played out when Edwin Díaz was injured. Puerto Rico center fielder Kiké Hernandez said the locker room was quiet after Edwin Díaz injury, acknowledging that it was a reminder that sometimes the game is bigger than the game itself.