Mets must make statement after Diaz injury

Is the World Baseball Classic worth the risk of sending your best players? I'm with Brandon Nimmo.

The New York Mets are collectively holding their breath this morning, waiting to hear the extent of Edwin Diaz’ knee injury.

In case you missed it: Diaz was taken off the diamond in a wheelchair after he was injured during Team Puerto Rico’s postgame celebration following a 5-2 win over the Dominican Republic.

After the final out, Team Puerto Rico swarmed Diaz to celebrate the win. The next snapshot of Diaz was of him on the ground, motionless, holding his leg.

As I noted on Twitter Wednesday night: “This is what makes me anxious about Spring Training and the WBC. This one, especially. The injury happened during a celebration.”

The World Baseball Classic is fun and exciting, but is it worth the risk of injury worth sending your best players (and investments) represent their homeland? I’m with Brandon Nimmo.

SNY @SNYtv

Brandon Nimmo shares his reasoning as to why he decided to not play in the WBC: "That's my most important thing right now, the Mets. I want to win a World Series and maybe that makes me a bad person, but I rather win a World Series than a WBC."

The Mets and winning a World Series is priority. Inserting yourself into scenarios that could potentially jeopordize those goals, is unwise.

Regardless of the extent of Diaz injury, if I were the Mets, I would request that Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Jeff McNeil be removed from the torunament and return to Port St. Lucie.

The risk is greater than the reward.

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Social Media Response:

Jon Jordan @JonJordan

@metsrewind So much wrong with this tournament. Diaz injury is an abomination-level cherry on top.

Giants Fan Mike @mpmoran19

@metsrewind They gotta pull out we can't afford anymore injuries

Andrew Padaetz @andrewpadaetz

@metsrewind Out. Move to November or end it.

Jason Franzke @jasonfranzke

@metsrewind Bring them all back immediately.

Greg Pattenaude @GregNugget

@metsrewind Call them back. Never let any player under contract play until WBC is moved to November.

Anthony Schorling @aschorling34

@metsrewind I think Met fans are having a reactionary response to this (and understandably so). But the reality of the situation is that this was a freak accident. It’s not the fault of the WBC, it wasn’t even in the game. They celebrated the exact same way after he closed out the no-hitter.

Subway To Shea Podcast @SubwayToShea

Try to tell me this game means nothing. #WorldBaseballClassic