New York Mets fans are over the moon at the prospect that closer Edwin Diaz is targeting a late-season return to the team.The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that Diaz is making tremendous progress in his recovery from a torn right patellar tendon suffered while celebrating Team Puerto Rico's stunning defeat of heavily-favored Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic in March.It was assumed that Diaz was lost for the entirety of 2023, but he told Rosenthal that returning to the mound by the end of this season is a strong possibility:"If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us."GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM79746NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsEdwin Diaz was a key member of the New York Mets' bullpen in 2022, logging a second-consecutive 32-save season. He has become a fan favorite among the Mets faithful, who delight in the boisterous trumpets of "Narcos" as he strides to the pitching mound during home games.Grant Purpura@grant_purpuraImagine hearing “Narco” for the first time this season in October? Citi might collapse. #LGM https://t.co/MrgnpNtmGt twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM9512NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsImagine hearing “Narco” for the first time this season in October? Citi might collapse. 🎺 #LGM https://t.co/MrgnpNtmGt twitter.com/genymets/statu…maura@The_MauraI’m not sure the crowd at Citi Field will be able to be contained when Narcos plays for the first time this season. twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM86753NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsI’m not sure the crowd at Citi Field will be able to be contained when Narcos plays for the first time this season. twitter.com/genymets/statu…Julian Liaci🕊@JLiaci23Need to hear the trumpets come October twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM83451NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsNeed to hear the trumpets come October 🎺 twitter.com/genymets/statu…New York Mets fans are deeply in love with Edwin Diaz, who was obtained from the Seattle Mariners in a trade prior to the 2019 season. The Mets seem to have many problems this season other than their replacement closer, David Robertson, as New York hovers around the .500 mark so far.Despite that, many see the prospective return of Diaz as the Mets' ticket to the World Series.Draco 🗽🇯🇲🟠@CeeDraco4Insert drugs in him and get him ready for the September pennant race if we’re playing meaningful baseball by then lol twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM85352NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsInsert drugs in him and get him ready for the September pennant race if we’re playing meaningful baseball by then lol twitter.com/genymets/statu…RYAN@C00KE_YA GOTTA BELIEVE twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM453NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsYA GOTTA BELIEVE twitter.com/genymets/statu…King Homewreck (alpha male)@BlooperisapedoMets World Series back on twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM86653NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsMets World Series back on twitter.com/genymets/statu…Diaz made an unannounced appearance out of the dugout – on crutches – during the Mets' home opener on April 7. It is so far the only time that "Narcos" has played from the Citi Field speakers.Nick@McVayJr95This would be HUGE!! twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM85753NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsThis would be HUGE!! twitter.com/genymets/statu…Mark Weber@web61@sal_licata @EvanRobertsWFAN Edwin Diaz is healing a lot faster than anyone thought. twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM86253NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7ds@sal_licata @EvanRobertsWFAN Edwin Diaz is healing a lot faster than anyone thought. twitter.com/genymets/statu…Jose@jvr__aThe game definitely misses him 🏼 twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM86353NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dsThe game definitely misses him 🙌🏼 twitter.com/genymets/statu…All of New York (at least those in Queens) is praying for Diaz's swifter-than-expected return.Joey@Joeypucks29twitter.com/genymets/statu…GENY Mets Report@genymetsNEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM87553NEWS: According to @Ken_Rosenthal, Edwin Díaz is "targeting a late-season return." "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch. The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us." #LGM https://t.co/LWx9kBB7dstwitter.com/genymets/statu… https://t.co/dZK0649P1KEdwin Diaz injury was a harbinger of doom for New York Mets this springEdwin Diaz of Team Puerto Rico leaves the field in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury.The New York Mets were heavily-favored to win the 2023 World Series after amassing a $343.5 million payroll this past winter.However, Edwin Diaz's injury was the first of many to strike the Mets in the spring. Following Diaz to the injured list were starting pitchers Carlos Quintana and Justin Verlander.The team has recovered somewhat, with Verlander back and Quintana expected to return by the All-Star break. New York has crept back into the National League East with a 30-27 record, 3.5 games behind the suddenly struggling Atlanta Braves.