Mets' Edwin Diaz: Throwing long toss

Diaz (knee) played catch at Citi Field on Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Healy notes that Diaz was throwing from center field to the foul line in right field, a substantial distance as he ramps up his rehab program. The 29-year-old closer has stated that he wants to return this season from March surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, through he still has quite a few hurdles to clear and the Mets are currently 7.5 games back of the third wild-card spot in the National League. The Mets might rather have him focus toward getting fully healthy for spring training.