New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz is not giving up on potentially playing in 2023 despite suffering what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury in the World Baseball Classic.

Diaz spoke to the media and raised the possibility of pitching again in 2023, saying it was his goal if some of his upcoming tests came back clean.

“I’m feeling great, we are working hard to see if I can come back. The doctors say I’m doing great,” Diaz said. “They want me to get my knee better first, then they will see how I respond in my strength, all these things I have to do. If the tests come back good, I might throw this year.”

Diaz pitching in 2023 is probably a long shot, but one he is unwilling to rule out at this point. He sounded optimistic after the injury, and the chances may be enhanced since his arm was not impacted.

Diaz was dominant in the closer role for the Mets in 2022, posting a 1.31 ERA with 32 saves.

A rare occasion for New York-area sports that hasn’t occurred in nearly 30 years.

With the Islanders clinching a playoff spot, all five of the greater New York City area’s hockey and basketball teams — the Islanders, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils in the NHL, and the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets in the NBA — have made the playoffs for the first time since 1994. 

The spring of 1994 was special for New York sports teams:

• The Rangers won the Stanley Cup to end a championship drought of more than 50 years — going through the Islanders and Devils in the process.
• The Knicks made the NBA Finals but lost to the Houston Rockets.

Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne has announced his retirement from touring.

The Black Sabbath frontman, 74, pulled the plug on all of his upcoming shows in the UK and Europe as he continues to recover from spinal surgery.

In a statement shared on social media, the “Crazy Train” hitmaker said he’s no longer able to tour around the globe due to the damage his spine has endured in a nasty accident four years ago.

Apologizing to fans, Osbourne acknowledged he “never would have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.”

“I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required,” the Brit said.