DENVER — The Dodgers suspected something was not right with their new closer. And they were right.
Edwin Diaz was placed on the injured list on Monday and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The conservative estimate is a three-month recovery and Diaz will return to pitch at some point in the second half of this season.
“Obviously any time you lose somebody that talented, it’s going to hurt,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “But the good thing is that we have a deep and talented pitching staff. It’ll create opportunities for other guys.
“The elbow popping up was definitely surprising. But … when the performance had been fluctuating the way we were seeing, it makes sense that there was stuff going on.”
Gomes said “the good news is that we expect him back in the second half and this shouldn’t change anything going towards the end of the season and into October when we’ll need him and he’ll be fresh.”
Diaz had pitched with diminished velocity on his fastball all year – including during his time with Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Signed to a three-year, $69 million contract as a free agent this winter, Diaz did convert his first four save opportunities with the Dodgers. But he suffered a blown save against the Texas Rangers on April 10 and complained of not feeling “right.” The focus at that time, however, was on his right knee which was surgically repaired following an injury during the 2023 WBC, causing him to miss the entire 2023 season.
Diaz did not pitch for nine days. When he took the mound again on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, it did not go well. He faced four batters and retired none of them. His fastball velocity dropped as low as 92.8 mph on one pitch and his ERA ballooned to 10.50 in seven appearances this season.
After the game, he complained of elbow discomfort for the first time.
“Obviously, we all saw the stuff last night and it sent up red flags,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“First time he felt it (pain in his elbow). And so, not to make it about myself – but I had that same surgery at the end of my career, and it’s something that just, you have loose bodies and they’re asymptomatic until they’re not.”
By signing Diaz this past winter, the Dodgers committed to a designated closer for the first time since Kenley Jansen left the team following the 2021 season. With Diaz out, the Dodgers do not “anticipate” designating a single replacement, Gomes said.
“I do feel comfortable with a handful of guys, really, that I feel that can close out games for us,” Roberts said. “So right now, I’m not gonna name a closer.
“It does change it (bullpen usage) in a big way. I do think being able to deploy guys in their right lanes or pockets has been helpful. But with that, I do think that Alex (Vesia) has been throwing the baseball really well. Tanner (Scott) has been throwing the baseball really well, and outside of last night, Blake (Treinen) was throwing the baseball really well. But it does kind of not allow us to work from the back end, which is certainly a luxury.”
BULLPEN REINFORCEMENTS
The Dodgers do have three veteran relievers in various stages of recovery from surgeries that offer the hope of additional options at some point in the future.
Right-hander Brock Stewart (shoulder) has made two appearances with Class-A Ontario on his rehab assignment. He is expected to make at least a handful more before he would be an option to come off the IL.
“Brock needs to go through basically a spring training buildup,” Gomes said. “He’s looked really good so far. So now it’s like, OK, a little more of a regular reliever usage this week is the goal. But it’s a long season. If we need to take an extra day or two here and there we will. But he’s feeling good and he’s looked very good so far.”
Right-hander Evan Phillips (Tommy John surgery) is not as far along in his recovery. He is throwing bullpen sessions and “coming out of those feeling good,” according to Gomes. But he is not expected back until the second half of the season.
Right-hander Brusdar Graterol (shoulder surgery) is more of a wild card. Graterol had his surgery following the 2024 season and has experienced setbacks in his recovery. Recently, he has made progress in bullpen sessions.
“Velocity has been back up to ‘Bazooka’ levels. So it’s encouraging,” Gomes said.
BETTS PROGRESS
Roberts said Mookie Betts has begun swinging a bat as part of his daily workouts. Betts is on the IL with an oblique injury.
Betts will have to progress from hitting off a tee to hitting soft toss before he starts taking batting practice.
ROSTER MOVE
The Dodgers recalled left-hander Jake Eder to take Diaz’s spot on the roster. Eder was acquired from the Washington Nationals on April 1 in exchange for cash considerations. He made three appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing two runs in 5⅓ innings.
The 27-year-old made one appearance for the Chicago White Sox in 2024 and eight with the Angels last season, posting a 4.87 ERA in 20⅓ major-league innings.
ALSO
The Dodgers presented Rockies GM Josh Byrnes with his 2025 World Series ring on Monday. Byrnes spent 10 seasons in the Dodgers’ front office before moving to the Rockies last fall.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 2-1, 2.10 ERA) at Giants (RHP Landen Roupp, 3-1, 2.38 ERA), Tuesday, 6:45 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM
