Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz is nearing a return from an elbow injury and may be available for the team's series against his former club, the New York Mets, next weekend. Díaz has been out since April following surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated on Monday that there is a "chance" Díaz could return for the trip to Queens. Since beginning a rehabilitation assignment on July 11, Díaz has made four scoreless appearances for the Dodgers' single-A and rookie-ball affiliates, recording seven strikeouts while allowing one walk and no hits.
The next step in his recovery process will involve pitching on consecutive days, a task Díaz is scheduled to undertake on Wednesday and Thursday. If successful, this could pave the way for his activation during the upcoming series at Citi Field, which marks the Dodgers' only visit to New York this season.
Díaz, who signed a three-year deal with the Dodgers in the offseason, was a fan favorite during his seven seasons with the Mets from 2019 to 2025. During his tenure with New York, he recorded 144 saves with a 2.93 ERA and made two All-Star appearances.
Mets owner Steve Cohen had described Díaz's decision to leave New York as "perplexing" earlier this season, despite reports that the Mets' offer was slightly less than the Dodgers' deal, which included a record annual salary for a relief pitcher. Díaz has spoken positively about his time in New York and stated that his move to Los Angeles was driven by a "looking to win" mentality. Prior to his injury, Díaz posted a 10.50 ERA in seven outings for the Dodgers.