NEW YORK -- After throwing his first outdoor bullpen session following knee surgery, New York Mets All-Star closer Edwin Diaz remained hopeful he can make a mound return this season.
The 29-year-old right-hander tore his right patellar tendon March 15 while celebrating after getting the final out of Puerto Rico's win over the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic. The projected timeline for a return was six-to-eight months.
"My goal was to be ready in six months," Diaz said Monday. "And I'm working on that."
Diaz said he was clocked in the low-to-mid 90s Sunday, when he threw on an outdoor bullpen mound to a catcher in the crouching position for the first time since getting hurt.