The Great Pitching Controversy: Edwin Diaz vs. Rob Thomson
Philly's Team Manager Alleges Pitcher Edwin Diaz Feigns Injury
Hot take in the baseball world as Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson takes aim at New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz. The dust-up stems from a peculiar incident during their game at Citi Field on April 23, 2025.
With the game hanging in the balance in the top of the 10th inning, the Phillies were ahead 3-2, with Diaz toeing the rubber. On the third disengagement from the mound during the same at-bat (a move that should've triggered a balk, sending the runner to second), Diaz called for the Mets' manager, pitching coach, and training staff, leaving the game moments later with an apparent hip injury.
The umpires, figuring the disengagements were injury-induced, overturned the balk call, sending Nick Castellanos back to first base. Phillies manager Thomson was less than enthused, expressing his doubts about the timing of the injury.
Addressing the media afterward, Thomson said matter-of-factly, "So, my question is, he wasn't injured after the first time he stepped off or after the second time he stepped off. So, he steps off the third time, they award him second base, then he calls the trainer out. Kind of doesn't make sense to me."
Diaz also faced the media's questions and explained that he'd felt the cramp earlier in the at-bat. Trying to alleviate the discomfort, he decided to step off the mound and seek help from the coaching staff.
While Thomson's skepticism is understandable, it raises questions about potential advantage-taking, gaming the rules, and beating the system. However, it was probably essential for the Mets to keep Diaz in the game, given its critical nature. But did Diaz deliberately fake the injury to avoid the balk call, or was it all a misunderstanding?
Whatever the case, this little drama is reminiscent of some old-school college football drama, adding a new layer of excitement to the landscape of the venerable Major League Baseball. The Mets and Diaz have clarified that the injury was indeed genuine, while Thomson's comments remain as a splash of color in a sea of otherwise runs, strikes, and outs. The dust will settle, but the memories continue.
Sources:
- Mets closer Edwin Diaz exits with hip cramp, but feels better | MLB.com
- Rob Thomson has questions about Edwin Diaz's injury, accuses New York Mets closer of faking it | NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Edwin Diaz: Hip issue not a concern moving forward | MLB.com
- MLB Rule 8.05(b) –Balk - Pitching Rules - MLB Rules
- Mets Notes: Mets drop opening game to Phillies | New York Post
- In the Great Pitching Controversy, Edwin Diaz of the Mets and Rob Thomson, the Phillies' manager, found themselves in a heated disagreement.
- During a game at Citi Field, Diaz appeared to manipulate the rules by deliberately stepping off the mound three times, with the third step causing a perceived injury that overturned a balk call, sending Nick Castellanos back to first base.
- Thomson questioned Diaz's timing of the injury, expressing concerns about potential advantage-taking in the critical game against the Phillies.
- Despite the controversy, Diaz asserted that his hip cramp was genuine, and he had stepped off the mound to alleviate the discomfort, hoping to continue pitching.
