The New York Mets’ difficult season took a further hit on Wednesday afternoon with two significant setbacks occurring in quick succession.
First, struggling closer Edwin Díaz was placed on the injured list due to a shoulder impingement just before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers began.
Then, All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso left the game in the first inning after being hit on the right hand by a pitch. Alonso was struck by a 93 mph fastball from Dodgers pitcher James Paxton while checking his swing, causing him to drop to his left knee. He made it to first base but then left the field with a trainer.
The Mets announced that Alonso would undergo tests, with an update to follow.
Alonso, 29, who will be a free agent this winter, has been the Mets’ top hitter with 12 home runs and a .758 OPS. He could be a trade candidate by the July 30 deadline if team president David Stearns decides to sell, though a serious hand injury could impact potential trades.
Entering Wednesday’s game with a 22-32 record and having lost seven of their last eight games, the Mets are struggling.
“Nothing’s changed with Pete’s situation,” Stearns said on Tuesday. “Our goal is to help this team succeed daily so we can win as many games as possible.”
Díaz has been one of several core veterans underperforming this season. After a strong start, allowing one earned run in his first 10 appearances, Díaz has struggled, giving up 11 runs on 14 hits in his last 10⅓ innings over 10 games. He blew his fourth save in three weeks on Saturday against the San Francisco Giants and didn’t pitch in the Mets’ doubleheader on Tuesday, with Adam Ottavino blowing a save opportunity in the first game.
Díaz, 30, signed a five-year, $102 million contract—the richest ever for a reliever—after a historic 2022 season. However, he tore his right ACL celebrating a win for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in March 2023, ending his season before it began.
