3 takeaways from the Mets' series split with the Nationals
Mets pitcher Max Kranick throws during the sixth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals in Washington on Monday. Credit: AP/Terrance Williams
WASHINGTON — Three takeaways from the Mets’ split of their four-game wraparound series at Nationals Park:
1. Edwin Diaz will not be overused.
Come heck or high water, manager Carlos Mendoza is not going to burn out Diaz in the early season. Mendoza reiterated on Monday that his decision to bypass Diaz in save situations for Ryne Stanek on Friday and Sunday had nothing to do with the hip cramp that forced Diaz from Wednesday’s game at Citi Field.
It was about “usage,” Mendoza said, as he referred to the “two ups” Diaz had on Wednesday, when he had to be removed because of the hip issue in his second inning of work, and the 22 pitches Diaz threw in earning a save on Saturday.
So Mendoza didn’t go to Diaz on Friday even though the Mets were off Thursday. Stanek blew the save and took the loss. And Mendoza didn’t go to Diaz on Sunday. Stanek blew the save and took the loss.
The Mets hope the judicious use of Diaz will pay off later in the season.
2. Max Kranick doesn’t panic.
Kranick, who had not pitched in the majors since 2022 when he made his Mets debut on March 29, has twice replaced an injured Mets pitcher in a big spot and excelled.
The first time was on Wednesday when he replaced Diaz in the 10th inning, got two outs and was the winning pitcher.
The second time was Saturday when Kranick had to take over for A.J. Minter, who left the game in the eighth with what the Mets are calling a lat issue. Kranick got two outs and earned a hold in the Mets’ 2-0 victory.
Kranick had an easier assignment in Monday’s 19-5 victory. He relieved Griffin Canning in the sixth with the Mets leading 6-0 and threw a scoreless inning. The 27-year-old find’s ERA is 2.55.
“Unbelievable in every situation, every role," Mendoza said. "That's probably back-to-back now when he has to come in and warm up right there on the game mound. That's not easy to do. Continues to attack, continues to make pitches, continues to make pitches and continues to get outs. He's been solid for us."
3. None of the Mets’ injured pitchers appear close to returning.
Minter originally said after Saturday's game that his injury was triceps tightness. The Mets gave an update after Minter had an MRI on Sunday that changed the diagnosis to a lat issue. But there is no timetable for the valuable lefthander’s return. Mendoza said on Monday that “multiple doctors” are looking at the MRI results.
Projected rotation starter Frankie Montas suffered a lat strain early in spring training and has yet to throw off a mound. So lats can be tricky.
In other injured pitcher news, Mendoza said Sean Manaea (oblique strain) is also not yet ready to throw off a mound.
And righthander Paul Blackburn, who is out with a knee injury suffered in spring training, had to stop his minor-league rehab assignment last week because of a stomach illness that caused him to lose weight, Mendoza said.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
