Right-hander is in the second-year of his record-breaking five-year contract with the Mets , and the $102MM investment has not gone how either side surely hoped it would to this point. After an otherworldly 2022 campaign that saw Diaz pitch to an incredible 1.31 ERA with a 0.90 FIP while striking out more than 50% Rajon Rondo Jersey of batters faced, the right-hander mi sed the entire 2023 campaign after suffering a torn tendon in his right knee during the World Baseball Cla sic that spring. While Diaz has now been healthy enough to take the field in 2024, the results have left much to be desired. Entering play tonight, the 30-year-old had a somewhat middling 3.57 ERA with an elevated 4.09 FIP in 17 2/3 appearances while going just five-for-eight in save opportunities. His struggles have become particularly pronounced since Cubs slugger left him on the hook for a lo s on April 29 by crushing a two-run homer at Citi Field. In six appearances since that lo s, Diaz had converted just one of his four save chances and allowed a 5.14 ERA with a 5.70 FIP in 7 1/3 innings entering the Mets game this evening against Miami. Things went from bad to worse against the Marlins tonight, when Diaz blew a four-run lead while recording just one out in the bottom of the ninth against Miami. After the game, the longtime closer admitted to reporters ( ) that his confidence is down following his recent stretch of tough performances. Even so, club manager stood by Diaz in the aftermath of tonights lo s, reaffirming to reporters (including the ) that Diaz remains the clubs closer. At the same time, Mendoza acknowledged the po sibility that the club could look to get Diaz some work in softer spots for the time being as he works through his struggles. The rest of the Mets bullpen has been fairly solid in spite of Diazs struggles, and the likes of , , and could all theoretically step into higher leverage roles if Diaz needs to reset in lower leverage spots. More from around the NL East Phillies right-hander departed his start on Thursday after taking a hard-hit comebacker off his foot. While testing made clear that he had managed to avoid a break, Walker is nonethele s dealing with a bruise in his left big toe and its not yet clear if the veteran will make his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for this coming Wednesday. relays that manager Rob Thomson told reporters this afternoon that hes optimistic about Walkers ability to make that start, though the club wont be sure until they see how he reacts to a light bullpen se sion tomorrow. In the event that Walker is unable to return to the rotation for Wednesdays start, the Phillies figure to slot right-hander back into the rotation mix. The Nationals have been without former top pitching prospect since he underwent Tommy John surgery back in March of 2023, but it appears that the 25-year-old hurler is now nearing a huge step in his rehab proce s. According to , Cavalli is ready to begin a rehab a signment in the Florida Complex League. It will be his first appearance in an official game since his big league debut on August 26, 2022. indicates that Cavalli will be built up slowly over the course of his rehab, with two or three innings being the goal for his first appearance. The Nationals have been surprisingly competitive so far this season with a 20-23 record that places them in third place in the NL East, and a healthy and effective return to action from Cavalli later this season could be a huge boost for a rotation that already features exciting youngsters such as and . Kyle Kuzma Jersey