Edwin Diaz didn't want to be taken out in the eighth inning of Saturday's win against the Padres, but Buck Showalter reminded the dominant Mets closer that there would be more important work to be done in 24 hours.
"I was asking to stay in the game because I was feeling great," Diaz said. "But he said 'Hey, we need you tomorrow, I think this is enough for today.' So I said, 'OK, that's fine, let's win the game tomorrow then.'"
Diaz threw 28 pitches and sat for nearly 45 minutes in between innings while New York build a five-run lead, but Diaz still wanted to keep going despite the game seemingly being in hand by the time he went back to work in the eighth and Showalter came to the mound.
"I want to help this team win and I was feeling great," Diaz said. "I asked him one more time and he said he needs me tomorrow, so I said 'That's fine, let's win the game tomorrow.'"
As for Sunday, Diaz has little concern that he will be ready to go again, even if he is needed for more than an inning in what will be the most important game of the season to date.
"Let's see how I feel. I would feel great because I feel great every time," Diaz said. "If they need me for more than 3 outs, I will be ready because we've got to win tomorrow."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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