Mets manager Buck Showaler reveals late-inning bullpen approach

Buck Showalter Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets manager Buck Showalter reveals late-inning bullpen plan

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 3/29/23

In the wake of ace closer Edwin Diaz's season-ending injury at the World Baseball Classic, manager Buck Showalter has made a decision on how he will handle his bullpen in the late innings.

Showalter said Wednesday that the team does not plan on formally name a closer in Diaz’s absence. While the manager singled out David Robertson as his most experienced reliever for the ninth inning, he stopped far short of actually naming Robertson closer.

The Mets are not naming a closer in Edwin Díaz's absence.

Buck Showalter said he can see one pitcher getting the bulk of chances, and "obviously [Robertson] has probably the strongest background" with 157 career saves. But Ottavino, Raley, even Smith could also pitch the ninth.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 29, 2023

Robertson has tallied 157 saves over the course of his big league career. It is logical enough to assume that Showalter’s unspoken hope would be that the veteran reliever simply makes the ninth inning his own.

Should Robertson lock things up, that would in turn help the rest of New York's relievers to settle into comfortable roles.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: