Mets' Díaz open to changing roles after latest rough outing

Edwin Díaz's struggles continued Saturday, as the New York Mets closer failed to protect another ninth-inning lead in an eventual 10-9 loss to the Miami Marlins.

Pitching in what was a non-save situation thanks to the Mets' four-run lead in the top of the ninth, Díaz proceeded to allow four runs on four hits in just one-third of an inning against the NL's worst team. He was pulled after allowing Josh Bell's game-tying three-run homer.

Otto Lopez then hit a walk-off single off Jorge López in the bottom of the 10th.

Díaz, who missed all of last season after tearing his patellar tendon during the World Baseball Classic, hasn't looked anything like himself this year. Saturday's appearance, which raised his ERA to 5.50, was the third time he allowed multiple runs this year, and the first time he gave up at least three earned runs in a game since July 17, 2021.

The two-time Reliever of the Year said postgame that he's open to moving out of the closer's role to try and get himself back on track.

"I'm open to everything. I want to help this team to win, that's my main thing," Díaz said, per SNY. "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, I want to win games, restore my confidence again, and when they need me in the ninth I will be back."

Díaz added he's feeling "100%" physically and admitted he's going through it mentally on the mound right now.

"I won't lie, my confidence I feel like is down right now," he said. I'm making pitches, I'm throwing strikes, I'm trying to do my best to help the team to win. Right now I'm not in that capacity."

Manager Carlos Mendoza agreed that some change could help Díaz, though he stopped short of confirming he'll use a new closer.

"It's one of those I have to talk to the coaching staff and to Edwin, whether we want to find him some softer spots to get him going," Mendoza said postgame, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. "He's still our closer and he will get through it."

Díaz has recorded five saves in eight opportunities this year but has given up at least one run in four of his last eight appearances.