Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz gave cause for concern after his last outing, but it seems he has dodged a bullet.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to host the New York Mets for the second game in a three-game set after defeating them on Monday, 4-0. It is a significant matchup because Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz may face his old club.
After injury concerns surrounded Díaz after he said something “didn’t feel right” after his first blown save of the season occurred against the Texas Rangers on Friday, he has not pitched since. However, manager Dave Roberts may have quelled the worries of Dodgers fans.
“Talked to Edwin briefly just a little bit ago,” Roberts said before Monday’s game. “He feels great, which is a good thing. You know, I think now it goes to me having a conversation with the training staff. And so he's wanting to pitch, says he's available. I think now it's just me kind of consulting with the training staff and figuring out what's the best case.
“But now we know, just watching with my eyes, having him play catch and talking to him, I feel very confident that he's in a good spot,” Roberts added.
Díaz, 32, was also dealing with reduced velocity. For a pitcher whose game is dominated by the use of a four-seam fastball, that could be problematic. However, Díaz made it clear that he believes the drop in velocity is related to a patella tendon rupture he suffered in 2023 while pitching in the World Baseball Classic.
“That was it, and just kind of saying he just didn't feel right,” Roberts said. “And so talking about some of the things before, the track record, the knee and all that stuff. So, you know, that's sort of, I think I'd like to think [it’s] behind us, but that was more of, you know, the genesis behind it.”
Along with the acquisition of Kyle Tucker, Díaz was a prized pickup during the offseason. Los Angeles signed him to a three-year, $69 million deal that set a new AAV record for a reliever.
In six games with the Dodgers, Díaz has a 1-0 record with a 6.00 ERA, and 1.67 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and four earned runs in six innings of work. He also has four saves.
For Roberts and the organization, proper management of Díaz’s health is imperative given how much of the season remains.
“I would say a huge part of it is based on the calendar,” he said. “You know, yeah, I mean, it's all based on the calendar. And obviously his health is paramount, but I do think that us just being even more conservative right now certainly is that.”
However, Roberts made it clear that he expects Díaz to pitch in the series against the Mets.
“If the right situation pops up, I do expect him to pitch in this series, yes,” Roberts said.
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