Sidelined by injury and stripped of his closer duties, Edwin Díaz battles mechanical flaws and a ballooning ERA to reclaim his value for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again without Edwin Díaz after the veteran reliever was placed on the 15-day Injured List last week because of neck inflammation.
Díaz had already missed more than three months earlier this season while recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.
His return from that first absence did not go well.
Díaz gave up 11 runs on 16 hits in 7.2 innings over nine appearances while blowing three save opportunities.
What’s next for Díaz?
The three-time All-Star is expected to return before the end of the regular season, but he will no longer be the Dodgers’ closer when that happens.
According to Dodger Blue, Díaz understands that reality and remains focused on getting healthy enough to help Los Angeles in the postseason. He believes there is still plenty of season remaining and is confident he will return.
Díaz also made clear that he was not upset by manager Dave Roberts’ decision to remove him from the closer role.
“Well, we got a lot of season left,” Díaz said.
“We are a playoff team, so my goal is to be ready and help this team in the playoffs. So I’m working on that. I know I will be back, so I’m really positive.”
He acknowledged that he has not pitched well and believes Tanner Scott deserves the opportunity after his resurgence this season.
Once Díaz returns, his priority will simply be performing effectively, helping the Dodgers win and allowing the organization to determine his role from there.
“Yeah, I’m OK. I haven’t pitched good and Tanner Scott is doing a great job,” Díaz noted.
“I’m really happy for him. So when I when I come back, I just want to help, do my job, help this team to win, and they make a decision after that.”
A frustrating season
Díaz’s first season in Los Angeles has been extremely disappointing after signing a record-setting three-year, $69 million contract.
Díaz converted seven saves in 11 opportunities, but allowed 18 runs in 13.2 innings across 16 appearances, resulting in an 11.85 ERA and an almost-unfathomable 2.56 WHIP.
The struggles have frustrated Díaz because he understands what he is capable of when pitching at his best.
He has continued working daily with the Dodgers’ coaching staff in an effort to rediscover that form and return ready to perform effectively.
“It’s a little bit frustrating because I know that the pitcher I am,” Díaz explained.
“I know when I’m good, I can do really good things. So I’m working to come back to that form. The group of coaches here, they put in a lot of work with me together every single day. So my goal is come back and be ready to go and perform in the right way.”
Díaz believes he has identified an important mechanical issue.
His arm angle has been lower than his career norm, and the Dodgers have used video from previous seasons to help him correct it.
Díaz believes returning to a higher and more consistent arm slot will improve both of his primary pitches.
His current lower angle has caused the fastball to move toward hitters rather than running effectively, while his slider has flattened through the middle of the strike zone.
Díaz’s mindset
The willingness to identify and attack mechanical problems remains one of Díaz’s most important qualities.
He has also shown accountability throughout a difficult season. Rather than objecting to losing the closer role, Díaz acknowledged his performance and supported Scott.
His confidence also remains intact despite the results. Elite relievers must possess short memories because one poor outing cannot carry into the next opportunity.
Díaz also brings extensive experience handling pressure in the ninth inning and understands how quickly momentum can change for a reliever.
His immediate challenge is no longer reclaiming the closer title.
It is getting healthy, correcting his mechanics and becoming a trustworthy postseason option for the Dodgers again.
