Mets closer Edwin Diaz open to change in role amid struggles - ESPN

MIAMI — Edwin Diaz is open to a change to help ignite the slumping New York Mets — even if that means losing his role as closer.

Amid a terrible start to the 2024 season in which he has blown two consecutive save chances and three of his past four, the star reliever with a $102 million contract said he would be willing to change his role if the team thinks that's best.

«I'm open to everything,» Diaz said Saturday after squandering a four-run lead in the ninth inning against one of the league's worst-hitting teams in the Miami Marlins.

Diaz has a 10.80 ERA over his past eight appearances after serving up four homers in 8⅓ innings.

«I want to help my team to win,» he said. «That's my main thing. If they want to talk to me about that and I feel good about it, I agree on it. I just want to win games in any position they put me.»

The struggling Mets (20-25) led the Marlins 9-5 when Díaz entered in the ninth.

He allowed an RBI single by Jazz Chisholm Jr. that drove in Vidal Brujan, who had led off with a double. Bryan De La Cruz reached on an infield single with one out, and Josh Bell hammered Diaz's first-pitch slider 428 feet to straightaway center field for a three-run shot that tied the score.

That was it for Diaz, who wasn't charged with a blown save because he came in with a four-run lead. But in his past three outings he has given up seven earned runs, seven hits, three walks and two homers over 2⅓ innings.

New York lost 10-9 when Otto Lopez singled home the winning run off Jorge Lopez in the 10th.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he's concerned about Diaz's confidence. The 30-year-old Diaz, a two-time All-Star, indicated his struggles this season are mostly mental.

«I won't lie, my confidence I feel is down right now,»