Dodgers Face Bullpen Shakeup Following Edwin Díaz’s Injury

Edwin Díaz’s struggles were evident long before the Los Angeles Dodgers placed him on the injured list Monday. The once-dominant closer, who had secured two saves during the Dodgers’ opening series sweep of the D-backs, increasingly raised concerns among fans and coaches alike. His velocity, a hallmark of his prowess on the mound, had dipped noticeably, a worrying sign for a player who had previously been a reliable late-inning option.

Before a knee injury during the World Baseball Classic sidelined him for the entire 2023 season, Díaz’s four-seam fastball routinely clocked in at 98-99 mph, with peaks reaching 102.8 mph. Even in his return from that injury, he maintained a fastball around 97 mph. However, this season, his average velocity has plummeted to 95.7 mph. Although he managed to hit 98.6 mph in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals against Italy and 98.0 mph in his final spring training outing, this is a stark decline from last year, when he threw 160 pitches at 98 mph or faster.

Díaz had insisted he was physically sound despite early-season velocity struggles, but after a rough outing against Texas on April 10—where he allowed three earned runs—the Dodgers decided to give him time off. His performance only worsened on April 19 in Colorado, where he faced four batters without recording an out, ultimately revealing that he had “loose bodies” in his elbow, necessitating surgery that will keep him out for several months.

This injury is a significant blow for Díaz, who had just begun to win over Dodgers fans after seven successful years with the Mets. Known for his durability, he has only faced one previous stint on the injured list since his debut in 2016, which was a brief absence due to a shoulder impingement last season.

Díaz’s signing of a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers sent shockwaves through the league, as the team sought to bolster their bullpen with one of the best options available. However, for the second consecutive year, a high-profile bullpen acquisition has become a liability. Last year, Tanner Scott’s four-year, $72 million deal fell flat when he lost the closer’s role by late May and struggled with injuries for the remainder of the season. Now, just seven appearances into his Dodgers career, Díaz’s injury forces the team to rethink their late-game strategy.

In Díaz’s absence, Tanner Scott has emerged as a key figure in manager Dave Roberts’ plans. This season, Scott has allowed just one run—a solo home run to José Ramírez—across 10 appearances while striking out eight batters in 8 ⅔ innings. However, Roberts is expected to employ a committee approach to close games, rather than relying solely on Scott.

Joining Scott in this effort will be Alex Vesia, another left-hander who has been a mainstay in the Dodgers’ bullpen. Vesia has allowed only five baserunners in 8 ⅔ scoreless innings this season and recorded two saves while Díaz was sidelined. He is the only non-Díaz pitcher to have notched a save for the team during their impressive start to the season.

Blake Treinen, a veteran presence in the bullpen, could also be in the mix for closing duties. Treinen began the season with eight scoreless outings but faltered recently, allowing three runs without recording an out in his last appearance. While he has been a reliable arm in the past, his recent inconsistency raises questions about his ability to handle high-leverage situations.

The Dodgers also have a few newer faces vying for Roberts’ trust in crucial moments. Will Klein, who showcased his talent during last year’s postseason, has continued to be a solid middle reliever, while Jack Dreyer and Edgardo Henriquez bring different skill sets to the bullpen. Dreyer’s fastball-slider combination keeps hitters guessing, while Henriquez’s impressive velocity could make him a valuable asset if he can harness his command.

While the Dodgers have several options to fill the void left by Díaz, the uncertainty surrounding their bullpen is reminiscent of the shakiness they exhibited last season. There has been speculation regarding Roki Sasaki’s potential return to the bullpen, but the Dodgers’ front office has made it clear they prefer to allow him to develop as a starter rather than shifting him to a relief role at this stage of his career.

For Díaz, this injury marks a disappointing start to his time with the Dodgers and a setback at a crucial point in his career. However, the Dodgers have a history of overcoming pitching injuries on their path to success, and to assume this injury will derail their World Series aspirations would be premature. With the best record in baseball, bolstered by a potent offense and strong starting pitching, the Dodgers are well-equipped to navigate the challenges of late-game situations without Díaz.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.