PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets will be reimbursed for Edwin Díaz’s salary during the star’s time on the injured list after suffering a torn patellar tendon during the World Baseball Classic, league sources have confirmed to Athleticism.
The Mets won’t end up paying Díaz because the injury happened while he was competing in the WBC. Major League Baseball has insurance in place to protect the team in these types of circumstances. As the New York Post first reported Thursday night, if the right-hander doesn’t return this season, MLB insurance would cover Díaz’s $18.64 million salary in 2023. He is not unclear, however, if his salary will still count towards the luxury tax.
The general timeline for surgical recovery is typically around eight months, Mets general manager Billy Eppler said, which would rule out Díaz for the 2023 season. After undergoing surgery on Thursday, Diaz is expected to begin a rehabilitation program official in about a week.
Díaz was celebrating with his Puerto Rico teammates after a 5-2 win over the Dominican Republic when he was injured in a collision during the celebration, a person briefed on the matter has said. Athleticism.
Under Steve Cohen’s ownership, the Mets displayed a willingness to pay a high price for the cost of victory. The Mets’ total financial outlay for 2023 — that’s player payroll and the luxury penalty tax they would pay — is $445 million. In this context, it is difficult to say how important it is to save the cost of Díaz’s salary; it’s not like the number would have stopped Cohen from spending in the future. Last month he said: “When I do something, I don’t do something halfway. When I’m in, I’m all in. I don’t take mediocrity well. And so I have certain high expectations. If it forces me to invest in this club, then I will.
Still, the Mets could use the repaid salary. As a team expecting to compete for a World Series, New York might be even better positioned to take more money at the trade deadline. Clearly, the Mets would prefer to have Díaz, the best in the game closer, healthy and thriving.
(Top Edwin Díaz photo: Brad Penner/USA Today)