PITTSBURGH — Edwin Diaz plans to stick with the script.
After spending 10 games suspended for violating MLB rules pertaining to sticky substances, the Mets closer — in his return to the active roster — maintained his innocence Saturday and said there isn’t a reason for him to change his methodology.
Diaz said he was using a combination of rosin, sweat and dirt when he was ejected for a foreign substance on his right hand on June 23 at Wrigley Field before he even threw a pitch.
“I will do the same thing — I didn’t have anything that day,” Diaz said at PNC Park before picking up a save in the Mets’ 5-2 win over the Pirates at PNC Park. “I will do the same thing. I will rub rosin, dirt and sweat. That is how I have grip on my ball and I will keep doing the same thing.”
How will Diaz ensure it doesn’t happen again?
“I will keep doing the thing I was doing,” he said. “I think I should be fine.”
Rather than appeal the suspension, which would have meant presenting his case to MLB officials, the right-hander chose to accept the punishment and immediately begin his suspension.
Diaz was asked why, if innocent, he chose to waive his appeal.
“To turn the page,” Diaz said. “I talked to the coaches and if we appealed I might wait three or four more days and then get suspended for 10 games. We wanted to move forward so I started from Day 1.”
Diaz joined Max Scherzer and Drew Smith among Mets pitchers suspended over the last two seasons for violating the rule on foreign substances.
The Mets were just happy to welcome back their closer after 10 games during which the team was forced to play shorthanded.
During the suspension, Diaz not only counted toward the 26 players on the roster, but also the 13-pitcher maximum for teams.
“Some of the guys can slide back to their other roles now, whether it’s pitching in the sixth, seventh or eighth and it’s just good to have [Diaz] back,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
The Mets went 5-5 with Diaz suspended.
Most notably, they struggled to get outs in the late innings last weekend when they lost two games against the Astros.
And then there was a Wednesday loss against the Nationals in which the bullpen was a factor.
“It was tough because I should have been there,” Diaz said. “I was trying to support them from the outside … every time I came to the game I was rooting for them to get the outs and get the win.”
Diaz faced hitters in live batting practice twice in the last week in an attempt to keep sharp.
After returning last month from a stint on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, the right-hander had four scoreless appearances for the Mets leading into the suspension.
It followed a hellacious May for Diaz during which he blew four of his five save opportunities and said he was dealing with a loss of confidence.
Diaz missed all of last season rehabbing from surgery after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee during a celebration at the World Baseball Classic.
Diaz was asked if he’s confident he could return to the level he was at in the four appearances before his suspension.
“One hundred percent,” Diaz said. “I threw a bullpen, a couple of live BPs. I kept my routine going and I threw the ball really well, so if Mendy gives me the ball, I will do my job.”
