Mets' Díaz rejuvenated after IL stint for shoulder issue

New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz feels more like himself after a short IL stint for a right shoulder impingement.

Díaz pitched a clean inning with one strikeout to pick up the win in New York's 3-2 comeback victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. He missed about two weeks of action with the shoulder issue.

"I was throwing 99, 100 today," Díaz told SNY's Andy Martino postgame. "I wasn't doing that early in the season."

Díaz struggled through the first month and change of the season after missing the entire 2023 campaign with a knee injury he sustained during the World Baseball Classic. He blew three consecutive saves in May, leading him to be removed from the closer's role.

The 30-year-old said the extended absence played a part in his slow start to the season.

"I think it was more being down a year," Díaz said. "In spring training I ramped up quick. Maybe my shoulder was a little tired. I think it was."

Díaz averaged 98.4 mph on his fastball in Thursday's outing, up over a mile per hour from his season average.