Edwin Diaz remains hopeful he can return to the mound for the New York Mets this season.

The reliever threw his first outdoor bullpen session following knee surgery. He tore his right patellar tendon on March 15 while celebrating after getting the final out of Puerto Rico's win over the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic. The projected timeline for a return was six to eight months.

"My goal was to be ready in six months," Diaz said. "And I'm working on that."

Diaz said he was clocked in the low to mid-90s on Sunday, when he threw on an outdoor bullpen mound to a catcher in the crouching position for the first time since getting hurt.

"I know my stuff is there," Diaz said. "A main thing for me is how my knee is good and healthy. I feel healthy right now, and I'm pitching again. I just want to get that positive note to go home and relax, work hard for next year."