Mets’ Edwin Díaz expected to miss season with torn patellar tendon Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli needs Tommy John surgery

PORT ST. LUCY, Fla. — New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz has a torn patellar tendon and is expected to miss the entire season after injuring his right knee while celebrating a World Baseball Classic victory.

Mets general manager Billy Eppler said Diaz will have surgery. Without going into details, Eppler said that the overall recovery time for this type of injury is about eight months.

“There have been cases where athletes have returned earlier, most often after six months,” Eppler told reporters. “But that’s more the exception than the rule.”

Diaz, who turns 29 next week, ended his career in the ninth inning of a 5-2 win over the Dominican Republic to send Puerto Rico to the quarter-finals of the World Baseball Classic. As Diaz and his teammates jumped together in the infield, the right-hander collapsed and reached for his right leg. He was taken off the field in a wheelchair.

Eppler said he spoke with Diaz several times and noted that the right-hander was in “great spirits”.

“He’s a tough guy,” Eppler said. “That’s why he’s closer. The dude won’t get lost.”

The Mets signed Diaz to a five-year, $102 million contract – the largest ever – after he had an exciting 2022 season. All player contracts are covered by insurance through the WBC, which covers the period of time a player is out of action due to an injury sustained during a tournament.

Diaz went 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves in 35 innings while hitting 118 batters in 62 innings last season. He made his second All-Star appearance and finished ninth in voting for the Cy Young Award.

The Mets have several experienced pitchers as they try to replace Diaz.

David Robertson has 157 career saves, including 20 last season with the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. Adam Piccolo has 33 career saves. Brooks Reilly last season, there were six saves for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Eppler did not provide details on what exactly caused the injury during the WBC post-match celebration, but said patellar tendon ruptures are more common in other sports.

“This injury is very common in the NBA and NFL,” Eppler said. “When you put undue stress on your knee, this can happen.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Washington Nationals Pitcher Avenue Horses are falling Tommy John needs reconstructive elbow surgery and will miss the 2023 season, general manager Mike Rizzo said.

The team released a statement from Rizzo saying that an MRI showed that Cavalli had sprained his ulnar collateral ligament.

The right-hander pulled out of a spring practice start against the New York Mets after 2 2/3 innings.

“Although Cade will not be performing in 2023, he still plays a very important role in the future of our franchise and we look forward to having him back on the hill,” Rizzo said. “We will provide an update on his operation when it becomes available.”

Cavalli, 24, was the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft after playing college baseball in Oklahoma. He made his major league debut in August against the Cincinnati Reds, then felt something in his shoulder during a game the next day and was shut out for the rest of last season.

He was expected to be part of Washington’s starting rotation this season as the club continues its efforts to recover. Since winning the 2019 World Series, the Nationals have finished last in the NL East for three consecutive years.