The Mets’ worst World Baseball Classic fears may have been realized Wednesday night.
The team’s All-Star closer, was removed from the field in Miami in a wheelchair after he was injured during Team Puerto Rico’s postgame celebration following a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic.
Diaz had just recorded the final out of the game and was crowded by teammates who began hugging him near the pitcher’s mound.
Diaz emerged from the celebration unable to put weight on his right knee and was helped to a wheelchair.
Diaz’s younger brother Alexis, also a reliever for Team Puerto Rico, was in tears as Edwin was helped from the field.
Edwin Diaz recorded the final three strikeouts of the game, sending Puerto Rico to Saturday’s quarterfinals against Mexico.
With Diaz moments after the injury was a Mets doctor and third-base coach Joey Cora, who were part of a contingent who traveled to the game.
The Mets released a statement saying Diaz will receive imaging on the knee on Thursday and an update will be provided when appropriate.
“I was hugging our coaches in the dugout. Then when we looked up, Edwin was on the ground,” Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina told reporters afterward.
“I didn’t know. I didn’t know how to act, I didn’t know how to — what to say. I mean, I didn’t know. It got me for a surprise.”