The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a major move involving their bullpen, placing closer Edwin Díaz on the injured list after a difficult return from elbow surgery. The news, first reported by Katie Woo of The Athletic, comes at a critical point in the Dodgers’ season as the club continues to navigate injuries and search for consistency on the mound.
Díaz returned to the Dodgers on July 29 after missing significant time following surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The procedure was performed after his early-season struggles raised concerns about his health and effectiveness. Before the surgery, Díaz’s fastball velocity had dropped noticeably, and the Dodgers ultimately discovered the elbow issue.
His return was supposed to provide Los Angeles with one of baseball’s most dominant late-inning weapons. Instead, Díaz has struggled badly since rejoining the club.
Through 13.2 innings this season, Díaz has posted an alarming 11.85 ERA and a 2.56 WHIP. Those numbers are a stunning departure from the pitcher the Dodgers expected when they signed him to a three-year, $69 million contract during the offseason.
Díaz arrived in Los Angeles with a reputation as one of the most overpowering closers in baseball. In 2025 with the New York Mets, he recorded 28 saves and finished the season with a 1.63 ERA across 62 appearances. The Dodgers viewed him as a major addition who could give them a reliable ninth-inning presence during another championship push.
Instead, his 2026 campaign has become a frustrating battle with health and performance.
The elbow problem first became apparent after Díaz struggled during the opening months of the season. On April 19, he was charged with three runs without recording an out against the Colorado Rockies. An MRI the following day revealed loose bodies in his elbow, leading to surgery. At that point, the Dodgers were forced to move forward without their expensive closer.
The organization remained optimistic during his rehabilitation. Díaz progressed through bullpen sessions and began a minor-league rehab assignment in July. He initially looked encouraging, throwing scoreless innings and striking out hitters while working his way back into game shape. MLB.com reported that he had allowed just one hit over his first two rehab appearances.
That optimism, however, has quickly disappeared.
Since returning to the Dodgers, Díaz has been unable to consistently locate his pitches or regain the dominant form that made him one of the game’s premier closers. His struggles have put additional pressure on a bullpen that has already had to adjust repeatedly throughout the season.
The timing is particularly concerning for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers are built to compete for another World Series, and the final weeks of the regular season are becoming increasingly important. Every late-inning lead matters, particularly against strong National League opponents. Losing Díaz again means manager Dave Roberts will have to rethink how he handles the ninth inning and other high-leverage situations.
The good news is that Los Angeles has options.
Tanner Scott has already demonstrated that he can handle important late-inning assignments. The Dodgers’ bullpen also has several pitchers capable of taking on additional responsibility depending on matchups and workload. Earlier in the season, the team managed to win several close games without Díaz, showing that the bullpen is capable of surviving his absence.
Still, there is no denying that Díaz’s injury represents a significant setback.
When healthy and performing at his best, Díaz can completely change the complexion of a game. His combination of velocity, strikeout ability and experience in pressure situations gives the Dodgers an elite weapon that few teams can match. That is precisely why Los Angeles invested heavily in him.
Now, the Dodgers must hope that another stint on the injured list gives Díaz the opportunity to reset physically and mentally.
The immediate priority should not simply be getting him back on the mound as quickly as possible. The Dodgers need Díaz to be healthy and effective when he returns. Bringing him back before he is ready could create an even bigger problem, especially with the postseason approaching.
For Díaz, this is another difficult chapter in what was supposed to be a dream first season in Los Angeles. For the Dodgers, it is another reminder that even the deepest roster in baseball can be vulnerable when key players cannot stay healthy.
The question now is simple: Can Edwin Díaz recover in time to become the dominant closer the Dodgers believed they were signing?
For a team with championship expectations, the answer could have enormous consequences.