Analysis: Diaz looked like his usual self Friday, striking out the first batter he faced and finishing the frame on 15 pitches while touching 98 mph with his fastball. There's no doubt that he's still locked in as the Mets' closer, and he should have plenty more chances to rack up saves over the next 160 contests.

Analysis: Stadium guns aren't always reliable, and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza says he isn't concerned -- he indicated after Wednesday's outing that the closer had hit 97 mph in a back-field game recently. Still, Diaz's velocity has been on the decline since his 2023 ACL surgery, and he averaged 99 mph the spring prior to that injury. If the 30-year-old right-hander has lost some of his heat, he'll need to compensate with better control -- his 9.3 percent walk rate last season was his highest mark since 2020. Even if he can't regain his elite form or consistent triple-digit fastball, Diaz is still locked in as the Mets' closer.