Edwin Díaz Fights to Salvage Dodgers Season and Postseason Hopes

Ninth inning. Trumpets blaring. Edwin Díaz trotting out of the bullpen to collect the final three outs of a game.

It’s a scene the Los Angeles Dodgers envisioned when they signed the star closer to a significant contract in December. However, it has been a rare occurrence during Díaz’s debut season, which has been plagued by injuries and underperformance.

Signs of Progress in Final Week

Last Friday, Díaz returned from the injured list, with his appearance setting the stage for a crucial final week as he battles for a place on the Dodgers’ postseason roster. "I gotta show them I’m part of that bullpen," Díaz stated. "I haven’t pitched [much] this year, and when I’ve been on the mound I’ve been struggling. So right now I’m giving my 200% just to show them I will be in that roster spot... Just every time, when they give me the ball in any situation, I will do my job."

While Friday’s outing was not a save opportunity, with the Dodgers holding a comfortable lead, and his appearance on Saturday also in a lopsided game, these scoreless innings represent tangible progress. Manager Dave Roberts expressed satisfaction with Díaz's performance, noting, "I liked everything. I liked his intensity. I liked the fastball velocity. The slider was good. So it was just really good to kind of get him back in the mix. That’s something to build on."

Over the remaining week, the Dodgers need to see more such outings. If Díaz is to make the postseason roster, he cannot afford further setbacks. "I just want to keep climbing the ladder," Díaz said, "and finish the season strong."

A Difficult Debut Season

Díaz's current situation is a stark reminder of how his highly anticipated debut season has unfolded. He began the season struggling, with an ERA above 10.00, before undergoing elbow surgery for loose bodies. Upon his return in late July, his performance did not improve, as he gave up 11 runs in nine appearances while continuing to battle delivery issues.

Another stint on the injured list followed in late August due to neck inflammation. During this absence, Díaz and the team worked on refining his mechanics, identifying a drop in his arm angle as a potential issue. However, his minor-league rehab assignment saw him give up six runs in his first four outings, including five in one appearance, and issue seven walks.

This led Roberts to openly question Díaz's chances of making the postseason roster just last week.

Adjustments and a Path Forward

Díaz returned to the drawing board, working with Oklahoma City pitching coaches Ryan Dennick and David Anderson. Reviewing old video from his All-Star career, they identified that Díaz "wasn’t moving my hips the [same] way" as in previous seasons.

This adjustment led to an improved bullpen session and a final rehab outing that earned him a return to the majors. His recent appearances have shown promise, particularly in commanding his fastball and utilizing his slider effectively. "I’ve been able to throw strikes," Díaz commented after striking out four batters and allowing only one hit and one walk across his two outings. "I think that was my problem. I wasn’t throwing my fastball for strikes. Now I’m able to command my fastball really good. When I command my fastball, my slider plays up. So I feel really good right now."

A Fight for a Roster Spot

Further improvement is necessary for Díaz to secure a postseason roster spot. He has relinquished the closer role and is competing with other relievers for a middle relief position. This situation is far from what the Dodgers anticipated when signing him.

Their hope now is that if Díaz is called upon in October, he will have made sufficient progress to be a reliable option out of the bullpen. "It’s tough," Díaz acknowledged, "but at the same time, I’m always positive. I know when I click, I click."