Monday, April 20, 2026

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

Edwin Díaz is going on the injured list with loose bodies in his right elbow. Surgery is scheduled.  That changes the complexion of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen, which already lost Ben Casparius to right shoulder inflammation.

In 2025, as the Dodgers won their second consecutive World Championship, their bullpen was a weakness. That is why the President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, signed the best available closer, Díaz, to a three-year, $69 million deal.

For the first time since Kenley Jansen left after the 2021 season, the Dodgers had a bona fide closer. This eliminates Dave Roberts’ decision-making for the ninth inning.

It did not last long. Last Friday, when Díaz blew a save against the Texas Rangers, alarm bells went off because his velocity was down. The Dodgers did testing on his surgically repaired knee, where he tore his ACL during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but his knee was fine.

After eight days without appearing in a game, Díaz pitched. His velocity never reached 93 miles per hour, and he allowed three hits and three runs.

The Dodgers hope Díaz will return sometime in the second half.  

Who will close out victories for the Dodgers?

The Dodgers have options. Although Dodger fans want to see Roki Sasaki return to the closer role, that will not happen until Blake Snell returns to the starting rotation at the earliest.  

Tanner Scott has pitched well this year and is the most logical choice. Yes, he allowed a two-run homer against the Cleveland Guardians, but he has a 1.04 ERA in ten games. He also has better command than last year, when he blew ten saves and was dealing with an undisclosed physical ailment.

Alex Vesia has been fantastic this year, allowing no runs in ten appearances. He has the required mentality for the closer.

The Dodgers do not have many viable right-handed closer options. At times, Blake Treinen has looked sharp, like his old self. At other times, he has struggled. Roberts thinks it is a confidence problem, but at 37, coming off a strained right forearm, Treinen appears to be nearing the end of his major league career.

Will Klein has closer stuff, but not the command to handle that role consistently. If this injury had occurred later in the season, he might have been a more realistic option.  

Coming off Tommy John surgery, Kyle Hurt is beginning his major league career. Although the Dodgers see Hurt as a possible starter, he has the pitch mx to become an excellent closer. If he performs well, he could claim that role.

The Dodgers will survive Díaz’s injury. They still have pitching depth.