DENVER — Edwin Diaz’s save opportunities have been scarce lately, but the Mets closer has converted when asked.
On Wednesday, he secured only his second save since July 22 by getting the final three outs in the Mets’ 5-3 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field.
Diaz allowed a leadoff triple to Michael Toglia in the ninth, but got the next three outs with the run scoring.
The right-hander has converted seven of eight save opportunities since returning in early July from his 10-game suspension for violating MLB rules on foreign substances.
Finding work for Diaz has been a challenge.
Two days earlier, manager Carlos Mendoza gave the right-hander the ninth inning with the Mets ahead by six runs in St. Louis, just to get him into a game.
Before that Diaz hadn’t pitched in almost a week.
“Maybe earlier in my career I would ask to pitch after my third or fourth day off,” Diaz said. “Now I just let them know, ‘Whenever you guys need me, put me in the game.’ But if the games are open and they don’t need me I just work in the bullpen with the pitching coach.”
Diaz now has six appearances since the All-Star break and none have been back-to-back.
Reed Garrett is expected to meet the Mets for their weekend series in Seattle.
The reliever pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday in a second rehab outing and “felt good,” according to Mendoza.
Sean Reid-Foley, who is returning from a shoulder impingement, pitched a shutout inning Wednesday for Syracuse in a rehab appearance and might not be too far behind Garrett.
“It comes down to how [Reid-Foley] is feeling,” Mendoza said. “We might want to see a back-to-back or maybe two out of three [days] or one-plus [inning] from him. He’s been dealing with this pretty much the whole year so we just want to make sure he’s 100 percent and his ability to bounce back is important.”
Starling Marte went 1-for-3 with a stolen base as the DH for Low-A St. Lucie in his first minor league rehab game since he was placed on the injured list in June with a bone bruise in his right knee.
Mendoza said it’s likely Marte will play five innings in the outfield on Thursday.
Mendoza cited Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner’s success against right-handed hitters and the fact Thursday’s series finale is a day game for his decision to start with Mark Vientos, J.D. Martinez and Harrison Bader on the bench Wednesday.
Ben Gamel received a rare start, in right field, with Jose Iglesias at third base.
Jesse Winker started in Martinez’s spot as the DH.
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