History of Edwin Díaz in Timeline

Edwin Díaz is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Mets in MLB. He debuted in the major leagues in 2016. Before joining the Mets, he played for the Seattle Mariners. Díaz is known for his role as a closer and his high velocity fastball. He has garnered attention as one of the premier relief pitchers in baseball.

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Full Timeline

March 22, 1994: Edwin Díaz Born

On March 22, 1994, Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy was born. He is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Mariners Record for Consecutive Strikeouts Tied

In 1997, a Mariners record for consecutive strikeouts was set and later tied by Edwin Díaz between June 28 and July 3, 2016.

1999: Puerto Rican MLB Record

In 1999, Roberto Hernández had 43 saves. In 2018, Díaz broke the record for most saves by a Puerto Rican MLB player.

2001: Previous Club Record

Kazuhiro Sasaki held the previous Seattle Mariners club record with 29 saves in the 2001 season.

2004: Four Saves in a Single Series

As of August 12, 2018, Díaz became the first pitcher to record four saves in a single series since 2004, as Seattle completed a four-game sweep of the Astros.

2008: Francisco Rodríguez's Record

In 2008, Francisco Rodríguez set a record of 23 saves when entering a game with a one-run lead for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Later, Díaz broke this record.

September 27, 2012: Doug Fister sets AL Record

Doug Fister set the American League record with 9 consecutive strikeouts on September 27, 2012.

2012: Drafted by Seattle Mariners

In 2012, the Seattle Mariners selected Edwin Díaz in the third round, with the 98th overall pick, of the Major League Baseball draft out of Caguas Military Academy in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He made his professional debut that season for the Arizona League Mariners.

2013: Pitching for Pulaski Mariners

In 2013, Edwin Díaz pitched for the Pulaski Mariners, achieving a 5-2 record with a 1.43 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 69 innings in 13 starts.

2014: Mariners Top Prospect and Minor League Pitcher of the Year

Prior to the 2014 season, Edwin Díaz was named the Mariners fifth-best prospect by Baseball America. He spent the season with the Clinton LumberKings and was co-selected the organization's minor league Starting Pitcher of the Year along Jordan Pries.

2014: Previous Mariners Record

The previous Mariners franchise single-season saves record was 48, by Fernando Rodney in the 2014 season. On August 24, 2018, Díaz notched his 49th save of the season, setting a new Mariners single-season record.

2015: Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year

In 2015, Edwin Díaz played for the Bakersfield Blaze and Jackson Generals, and won the recognition of minor league Starting Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season.

June 4, 2016: Called up to Major Leagues

On June 4, 2016, Edwin Díaz was called up to the major leagues for the first time.

July 6, 2016: Franchise Record for Consecutive Strikeouts

On July 6, 2016, Edwin Díaz broke the Mariners' record for consecutive outs via strikeout with 11.

August 1, 2016: Mariners' Closer

On August 1, 2016, Edwin Díaz replaced Steve Cishek as the Mariners' closer.

2016: MLB Debut

In 2016, Edwin Díaz made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut.

2017: 2017 Season Performance

In 2017, Edwin Díaz appeared in 66 games, posting a 4-6 record with a 3.27 earned run average, 89 strikeouts, and 34 saves out of 39 opportunities.

2017: World Baseball Classic

In the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Edwin Díaz played as a relief pitcher for the Puerto Rican national team, winning a silver medal.

August 25, 2018: Youngest Pitcher with 50 Saves

On August 25, 2018, Edwin Díaz became the youngest pitcher to collect 50 saves in a season after closing a 4–3 victory over the Diamondbacks.

December 3, 2018: Traded to New York Mets

On December 3, 2018, Edwin Díaz, Robinson Canó, and $20 million were traded by the Mariners to the New York Mets for Jay Bruce, Jarred Kelenic, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and Justin Dunn.

2018: All-Star and AL Reliever of the Year

In 2018, Edwin Díaz recorded 57 saves to lead the American League (AL), was named an All-Star, and was named AL Reliever of the Year.

2018: All-Star and Club Record

In 2018, Edwin Díaz was named to the All-Star Game. He also became the holder of the Seattle Mariners club record for saves before the All-Star break, finishing with 36 saves before the break.

2018: Comparison to 2019 Season

In the first half of the 2019 season, Edwin Díaz surrendered more than twice as many hits per nine innings as in the 2018 season and his ERA+ dropped from 210 in 2018 to 74 in the first half of the 2019 campaign.

2018: AL Reliever of the Year Award

On October 27, 2018, Edwin Díaz was awarded the AL Reliever of the Year award. He finished the 2018 season with 57 saves, leading the major leagues.

September 26, 2019: Record for Ninth-Inning Home Runs Allowed

On September 26, 2019, Edwin Díaz allowed his 15th ninth-inning home run of the season, setting a Major League record for the most ninth-inning home runs given up by a single pitcher in a single season.

2019: Decline in Performance

In the first half of the 2019 season, Edwin Díaz experienced a decline in performance, with a higher hits-per-nine-innings rate and a lower ERA+ compared to his 2018 season.

2020: 2020 Season Performance

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Edwin Díaz converted six of ten save opportunities and recorded a 1.75 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 14 walks in 25+2⁄3 innings.

2021: 2021 Season Performance

In 2021, Edwin Díaz appeared in 63 games, posting a 5–6 record, a 3.45 ERA, and 89 strikeouts in 62+2⁄3 innings pitched, converting 32 of 38 save opportunities.

April 29, 2022: Combined No-Hitter

On April 29, 2022, Edwin Díaz pitched in relief in a combined no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching the final inning and earning the save.

May 17, 2022: Brother's Save

On May 17, 2022, Edwin Díaz's younger brother, Alexis Díaz, earned his first save, making them the third set of brothers to both achieve a save on the same day.

July 10, 2022: Second All-Star Selection

On July 10, 2022, Edwin Díaz was named an All-Star for the second time in his career, entering the All-Star break with 20 saves and a 1.69 ERA.

November 9, 2022: Signs Contract with Mets

On November 9, 2022, Edwin Díaz signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets, the most valuable contract ever signed by a relief pitcher.

March 15, 2023: Injury at World Baseball Classic

On March 15, 2023, Edwin Díaz suffered a right knee injury during the World Baseball Classic celebration after striking out the side, sending Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals.

2023: World Baseball Classic Participation

During the 2023 WBC, Díaz pitched for Puerto Rico and suffered an injury to his right knee during the celebration following a win against the Dominican Republic.

April 15, 2024: 100th Save for the Mets

On April 15, 2024, Edwin Díaz recorded his 100th save for the Mets in a 6–3 home victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

2024: Postseason Win and Save

During the 2024 MLB Postseason, Edwin Díaz recorded his first postseason win and save, contributing to the Mets' advancement in the NL Wild Card and Division Series, showcasing his skills with impressive statistics.

2024: Strikeout Pitcher

In 2024, Edwin Díaz maintained his reputation as a strikeout pitcher in his MLB career, averaging 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

May 2025: Dominant Performance and Reliever of the Month Nomination

In May 2025, Edwin Díaz had a stretch in which batters hit 0-for-30 against him. For the month, he recorded 5 saves and pitched 11 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only 3 hits, 4 walks, and striking out 14 batters.

2025: Third All-Star Selection

In 2025, Edwin Diaz was named to the All-Star Game for the third selection of his career after posting a 1.80 ERA with 4 wins, 18 saves, and 53 strikeouts across 35 games.