Edwin Diaz does not look much closer to the Mets last season, but in spring training this year shows he still has confidence that the job is his. Returning to training 3½ months later, that mindset hasn’t changed.
“My mentality has always been that I am closer, despite what happened last year,” Diaz said through an interpreter following Friday afternoon training at Citi Field. “This offseason I came in and trained hard, I did various things that gave me confidence that made me feel that I could be closer to this team.
“Now, going to training this second spring, I will try to prove over the next two to three weeks that I can become closer to this team.”
Diaz, who carried out an ERA 5.59 with seven rescue from 33 attempts last season, said he trained at a stadium near his home in Puerto Rico during layoffs, facing players like Kennys Vargas, who played last season for the Twins.
Edwin DiazN.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
Jed Lowrie’s situation remains a mystery.
“Jed hasn’t played for a while,” said manager Luis Rojas. “We will see where it goes, that is something I need to value with the performance staff to see where it is.”
Lowrie, whose 2019 season consists of seven bats in September, arrives at spring training in February wearing a brace that runs from the middle of his left thigh to almost the ankle. Rojas pointed out that the brace had kept Lowrie from feeling comfortable in training.
Dellin BetancesN.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
Dellin Betances made a strong impression on the manager during his morning throw session. The right hand, which returned from the torn Achilles left, is still building arm strength when spring training is suspended in March.
“The feedback is very good about how things are and how they are practiced,” Rojas said. “What’s he like today, he looks really good how the ball came out of his hand, the two balls that broke were really good, just good stuff.
“I watched from the angle behind the catcher and you saw the monster in the mound, I can see why the attack ratio was so high with him. He looks very good today, feels very good and then after that I saw him at the gym and he was very excited about that day, having a session. “
Rojas will not divulge if there are players who tested positive for COVID-19 during the Mets intake test which ended this week. Previously, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen indicated that a player on the 40-player list was positive.
Marcus Stroman and Amed Rosario are both absent from training. The Mets did not provide an explanation of the absence.
