PORT ST. LUCIE — David Robertson was asleep, but pings from his phone and iPad soon woke him up with the bad news.
Edwin Diaz had injured his knee during a postgame celebration on the field with the Puerto Rico team during the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday night – and it didn’t look good.
That feeling came true Thursday, when Diaz was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee and underwent surgery to repair it.
The typical recovery time is eight months.
Mets Brass, for now, is not disclosing a plan to replace Diaz as the team closes in, but Robertson, 37, is perhaps the most logical candidate.
He has a resume that includes 157 saves in his 14 major league seasons.
Robertson, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason, said he doesn’t see his role changing with Diaz’s absence because he never considered himself as having a specific role.
“My plan coming here was to throw whenever Buck [Showalter] called me and asked me to go throw,” Robertson said. “I don’t care when I pitch in the game, whether it’s fifth to ninth. But if I’m asked to cover the ninth, I’ll do my best.
Adam Ottavino also has close quarters experience, with 33 saves in 12 major league seasons.
Less accomplished in the role are Drew Smith and Brooks Raley, who complement the Mets’ high-leverage relievers.
Sure, the Mets could look to the trade market for help, but offers this early in the season are rare.
And the asking price in terms of prospects would be high given that teams are in no rush to help the Mets.
Southpaw Zack Britton, who has missed the past two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery, is among the hottest names in the free agent brand.
Britton held a showcase Thursday for interested teams, and the Mets had a scout in attendance.
Other relievers still available include Corey Knebel, Will Harris and Jeurys Familia.
“We still have a lot of talent in this clubhouse,” Robertson said. “Obviously we’d love to have Edwin – he’s exceptional. But going forward we’ll have to find ways to get out later in the game and we’ve got the talent here. We just have to go out there and do it.