Full Breakdown
Dodgers Place Closer Edwin Díaz on Injured List Again
8/20/2026, 2:11:58 AM
Core Event
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed All-Star closer Edwin Díaz on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to neck inflammation. The move was announced by manager Dave Roberts at Coors Field while the team was in Denver for a series against the Colorado Rockies. Díaz will travel back to Los Angeles for a medical evaluation on Wednesday.
Background & Context
Díaz’s season has been marked by injury setbacks and poor performance. After surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, he returned from the injured list on July 29, having first been placed on the list on April 20. Since his activation, he has allowed runs in six of nine appearances, surrendering 11 runs on 16 hits, five walks and two hit-by-pitches in 7 2/3 innings, while blowing three saves in the Dodgers’ last 11 games. Prior to the recent stint, Díaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract in the offseason.
Data & Statistics
- Season ERA: 11.85; WHIP: 2.56; WAR: –1.4 in 16 outings.
- Saves: 7; Blown saves: 4.
- Post-return ERA: 12.91 with three saves in six chances.
- Most recent appearance: gave up a double, three singles and a hit-by-pitch, allowing three runs in a single inning; his fastball velocity dropped to 93 mph, the third-slowest of the season.
Official Statements & Responses
Roberts acknowledged the bullpen’s limited depth, saying, “Give me another option. I can’t just say, ‘Change (Díaz) to low leverage.’ I have to have other options, and to be quite honest, none of those guys really have thrown the baseball great. That’s just kind of the way it is.” He also noted that the strength and pitching staff have identified mechanical issues to address, adding, “The strength department and the pitching side of things, he’s kind of detected some things I think we could clean up, so that’s encouraging.” Roberts indicated that the team hopes a brief rest will allow Díaz to improve.
What’s Next
The Dodgers recalled right-hander Emmet Sheehan from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill Díaz’s roster spot. With limited reliable late-inning options, the club may look to other arms such as Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips or Jack Dreyer to stabilize a bullpen that has struggled since the previous championship season.
