High-priced signings and injuries have forced the Los Angeles Dodgers back into a committee approach, leaving them to rely on depth over a traditional closer for October.
The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced through the past two postseasons without a clearly defined closer.
Evan Phillips handled most save opportunities during the 2024 regular season, but Blake Treinen received the majority of them during October.
Los Angeles attempted to settle the role by signing Tanner Scott before the 2025 season. However, his erratic performances in high-leverage situations, a postseason injury and Roki Sasaki’s emergence as a reliever produced another closer-by-committee approach.
A recurring theme for Dodgers
The Dodgers hoped signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract last offseason would solve the recurring problem.
Instead, Díaz finished with an 8.68 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in 18.2 innings over 21 appearances, converting seven of 11 save opportunities.
Scott recovered from a horrific 2025 season to post a 2.69 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 63.2 innings over 69 appearances this year. He recorded 25 saves in 29 opportunities, as well as 13 holds.
After two Injured List stints, Díaz finally began resembling his familiar form. He surrendered one hit with nine strikeouts in five innings over his final five appearances.
Sasaki also returned from the Injured List and pitched three scoreless innings across three relief appearances with six strikeouts and no walks. He recorded a hold.
For a third consecutive season, the Dodgers enter their most important stretch without an established closer.
According to the Los Angeles Times, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did not identify who would handle the role.
He expressed confidence that Los Angeles possesses arguably its deepest and strongest pitching staff of recent years but remained uncertain about the exact roles and order.
“I do not know,” Friedman said.
“I feel very confident that we’re going to be going into October with arguably the deepest and best pitching staff that we’ve had. Exactly what their roles will be and how things will be ordered, I don’t know right now.”
Dodgers have bullpen depth
Depth is generally preferable to limited options. However, when one pitch can extend or end a season, immediate effectiveness can matter more than assigning the same reliever every save opportunity.
Friedman said the Dodgers trust several pitchers. Their decisions will depend on the opponent, how deep the starter pitches and other game-specific factors. He considers the number of trusted candidates more important than identifying one closer.
“We’ve got a number of guys that we really trust,” Friedman explained.
“Depending on who we’re playing, how deep our starter goes, there are a lot of factors that would go into it. But, more than who will be that pitcher on the mound, is the fact that we have so many candidates we feel really good about.”
Treinen recorded three saves during Los Angeles’ run to the 2024 World Series title.
He also earned a crucial save in Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers after Sasaki nearly let the game slip away.
Treinen injured his right shoulder while warming up Saturday and will miss the postseason.
Díaz, Scott and Sasaki appear to be the leading closer candidates, although Friedman indicated that every possibility remains available.
Who’s the right choice?
Each pitcher is unique. Díaz offers experience handling pressure in the ninth inning and the confidence required to attack hitters with the game at stake.
Scott provides a dependable left-handed option whose improved control restored trust. Sasaki contributes overpowering ability, composure and the flexibility to handle unfamiliar assignments.
A closer must recover quickly, command the strike zone and remain unaffected by the consequences of one mistake. Los Angeles may lack a designated pitcher for the ninth inning, but Díaz, Scott and Sasaki give the Dodgers several ways to finish games.
