Edwin Diaz was supposed to be the answer for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning. Instead, he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
The Dodgers announced on Monday that Diaz has been placed on the Injured List with loose bodies in his right elbow. Pitcher Jake Eder has been recalled from Triple-A to take his place in the bullpen. ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported that Diaz will undergo a procedure on his elbow to address those loose bodies and is expected to miss approximately three months.
Diaz had become a concern for the Dodgers. His velocity was down 1.5 MPH this season, and he had not pitched since April 10 before entering Sunday’s contest. Diaz struggled in that outing, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk without recording an out.
Injury could explain Edwin Diaz’s struggles for Los Angeles Dodgers
That outing torpedoed Diaz’s numbers in the early going. He has posted a 10.50 ERA and a 2.333 WHiP over his six innings, striking out 10 batters while issuing five walks.
Diaz was supposed to fill one of the few holes on the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers. The ninth inning had been a source of concern since Kenley Jansen departed in free agency following the 2021 season. Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million contract, was expected to stabilize the closer role as the Dodgers looked to win the World Series for a third consecutive time.
While Diaz is expected back this season, this leaves an unexpected hole in the bullpen. Relievers Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott may be the top candidates to fill in for Diaz, with Vesia having begun the year with 10 scoreless appearances.