Perhaps the worst sight of the Mets’ early season arrived in Wednesday’s 10th inning, when Edwin Diaz walked off the mound with a trainer.
Diaz confirmed he left the matchup with a left hip cramp.
In extra innings against the Phillies at Citi Field, the Mets closer allowed a go-ahead single to Nick Castellanos and was one pitch into an at-bat against J.T. Realmuto before waving to the Mets’ dugout.
Diaz talked briefly with the staff and walked off the field.
Diaz had pitched a perfect, 11-pitch ninth inning and returned for his second inning of work for the first time this season. He threw seven pitches in the 10th before he was forced to exit.
The Mets’ bullpen was depleted, having already used Huascar Brazobán, Danny Young and Jose Butto and needing to use Max Kranick — who had been pushed for two-plus innings on Monday — once Diaz left.
Diaz, while not quite his dominant, shutdown self, has saved six games this season.
