Edwin Diaz injury: 3 immediate backup plans for Mets at closer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: Adam Ottavino #0 of the New York Mets on the mound during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres in game two of the Wild Card Series at Citi Field on October 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2. Adam Ottavino

Adam Ottavino may get a look at the closer’s role early on if the team hasn’t decided on a set pecking order at the back of the bullpen to start the season.

He doesn’t have a lot of closing experience, with 33 saves to his name. His highest single-season total of 11 came with the Red Sox in 2021.

While the 12-year veteran doesn’t have the same resume that Roberston brings to the table, he was with the team last season, so Showalter knows what he’s all about. Ottavino had the trust of his manager in 2022. According to FanGraphs, he pitched in 12.1 innings of high-leverage situations, holding the opponents’ batting average to .154. He collected 18 holds and three saves over the course of the season.

The 37-year-old also has better control than Robertson, with a 30.6 percent strikeout rate and a 6.2 percent walk rate. He also showed the ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most last year. His strikeout rate jumped to 35.7 percent in his high-leverage outings, improving his K%-BB% from 24.4 percent to 28.6 percent.

If he starts strong and out-performs Robertson early on, there’s a strong chance that Ottavino will take over the closer’s role before long.