Mets’ Edwin Diaz open to playing in World Baseball Classic again

Last week at the All-Star Game, Edwin Díaz threw 13 pitches in a globally watched exhibition that is an honor for players and entertaining for fans.

He would be open to doing so again next March.

Despite how his last World Baseball Classic experience ended, the Mets closer said he is hopeful but not 100 percent sure he will play in the 2026 WBC for Puerto Rico.

“As of now, I would play if I had the chance to play,” Díaz said last week. “I would play to represent my country.”

A lot can happen between now and March.

Díaz is having a phenomenal season in what might be a walk year, if he decides to opt out of the two years and $37 million remaining on his current deal (which also includes a 2028 club option).

So before deciding whether to pitch in the tournament, perhaps Díaz would chat with and seek permission from the Mets or whichever team with whom he signs.

But the player himself has not been scared off by the torn patellar tendon in his right knee he suffered while celebrating a win over the Dominican Republic in the 2023 WBC. He then missed the entire MLB season.

“I didn’t get hurt pitching,” Díaz said. “That’s something that can happen at my house or wherever. If I was pitching, maybe I would be a little bit scared [to return to the WBC].

“But I just want to go there and represent my country and have fun.”

Díaz said he has helped Puerto Rico captain Francisco Lindor with some early recruiting work for the team, which lost to Mexico in the quarterfinals two years ago.

“If I get the chance, I want to play with [Lindor] again,” Díaz said.

The Mets announced they have signed 18 of their 19 draft picks.

James Smith IV, their 14th-round pick and a righty pitcher and outfielder at the University of Memphis, is expected to return to school.

Additionally, the Mets announced they have signed nine non-drafted free agents: Righty pitchers Austin Brown (from Chipola College), Parker Carlson (Auburn), Jonah Conradt (McLennan), Ryan Dollar (Houston), Colby Frieda (Troy) and Caden Wooster (Santa Clara), outfielders John Bay (Austin Peay) and AJ Salgado (UCLA), and catcher Chase Meggers (Oregon).