MIAMI — Mets life with Edwin Diaz, sidelined from the closer role because of recent struggles, began Sunday without any drama.
Reed Garrett pitched a scoreless eighth inning to protect a one-run lead and came back for the ninth after the Mets added insurance. He was credited with one save in two innings in the Mets’ 7-3 win over the Marlins.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said he also had Adam Ottavino available to pitch the ninth if needed, but he stuck with Garrett because the right-hander struck out the side in the eighth.
Mendoza said he will use various relievers in the closer role until Diaz is deemed ready to return to duty. Diaz allowed four runs in the ninth inning Saturday for his third straight save.
“We all believe in (Diaz) and we all know he will be back and he will be elite when he is right and we will do everything we can to make sure he recovers,” said Garrett. “Anytime my name is called, I’ll throw, but we all believe in what he can do.”
Garrett’s save was his second of the season. He pitched to a 0.72 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 25 innings this season.
Francisco Lindor will play his first game in his old stomping grounds when the Mets open a three-game series against the AL Central-leading Guardians on Monday. The Mets shortstop last played in Cleveland in 2020 (with fans absent from the stadium due to the pandemic). He came to the Mets in a trade after that season, along with Carlos Carrasco, in a deal that sent Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario to Cleveland.
“Cleveland saw me become a man,” Lindor said. “I appreciate the city and this organization.”
Lindor, who was drafted and developed by the organization, was a central figure in the franchise that reached the World Series in 2016. He said he hasn’t visited Cleveland since his trade to the Mets.
The series in Cleveland will be the Mets’ first since 2016.
Starling Marte was missing from the starting lineup — Mendoza didn’t want to start him three straight days on the LoanDepot Park turf — but entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth and remained as the right fielder.
JD Martinez is battling a bug that has spread throughout the clubhouse and got the day off. Martinez was available to pinch if necessary, according to Mendoza.
New York Post
