Mets rely on bullpen mix as Diaz isn’t used in 11th; Lile’s inside-the-park seals Nationals win
Edwin Diaz was not brought back for a second inning as Washington capitalized on Daylen Lile’s inside-the-park homer in the 11th at Citi Field; Mets shuffle bullpen and roster amid injuries and returns.
The Mets fell 5-3 in 11 innings to the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on Saturday after manager Carlos Mendoza did not bring Edwin Diaz back for a second inning. Diaz had a brief, seven-pitch 10th inning, and Mendoza said the closer was not in line for another turn that day as the bullpen was used in a planned manner.
Washington seized the moment in the 11th when Andrés Chaparro started the inning with an out, and Daylen Lile delivered a two-run inside-the-park homer on a 2-2 fastball to center that gave the Nationals the lead they would not relinquish. Tyler Rogers, who had allowed just one earned run over his previous 7 ²/₃ innings, was back on the mound for New York’s portion of the frame but could not stop the rally. The sequence underscored the Mets’ ongoing bullpen juggling and Mendoza’s preference for limiting Diaz to one inning in a given appearance.
In the wake of the loss, New York added left-hander Richard Lovelady to the active roster and designated Wander Suero for assignment. Lovelady had a scoreless inning in relief on Saturday, a contribution Mendoza cited as part of a broader plan to address the Nationals’ lineup with a mix of left-handed hitters and right-handed power. The move came as the Mets look to balance workloads after a stretch of heavy stress on their bullpen, with Lovelady previously appearing in six games earlier this season for the club. 
Mendoza said decisions remain pending for right-handed relievers Tylor Megill and Reed Garrett. Megill has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and is traveling for an in-person evaluation with a doctor in Los Angeles, with Tommy John surgery a possible outcome. Garrett is dealing with a strained ligament in his elbow and is seeking additional professional opinions to determine the best course of action for his recovery. In the interim, the Mets are juggling options to stay competitive while addressing injuries and roster realities.
Elsewhere on the roster, the Orioles claimed Dom Hamel off waivers from the Mets. Hamel, a 26-year-old right-hander, was designated for assignment Thursday after making his big-league debut and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. The transaction adds to a steady stream of roster churn as teams adjust to a demanding schedule and the need for fresh arms.
On the injury front, Tyrone Taylor offered a positive update on his rehab. The center fielder said his left hamstring feels 100 percent and that a return could come early next week. He is slated to appear in another minor-league game Sunday for Triple-A Syracuse, with activation anticipated ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Cubs in Chicago. Taylor played six innings in center for Syracuse on Friday night, going 1-for-4 with an RBI, and his August performance had him trending as a productive defender and hitter before the injury. He left the Mets on Sept. 2 with an IL stint retroactive to Aug. 30, and his return would provide a sorely needed defensive upgrade and additional depth.
The Mets’ ongoing bullpen adjustments and the health status of key pitchers continue to shape the team’s chances in a crowded, competitive stretch run. Washington, holding a last-place position, took advantage of the late-inning opportunities to secure a pivotal win at Citi Field as both clubs recalibrate for the months ahead.