Edwin Díaz, who just last offseason became the highest-paid reliever in MLB history, is finally set to return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. But don’t expect him to be the guy you remember. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it crystal clear Thursday morning: Díaz’s role will be “low leverage.” That’s right, the guy with the record-breaking deal and who was baseball’s best reliever last year is coming back to a bullpen that just clinched its 13th NL West title in 14 years, and he’s not even getting the ball in a tight spot.
From Ace Closer to Absolute Mess: What Happened to Díaz?
This whole season has been a nightmare for Díaz, plain and simple. After signing that monster deal, he’s posted an absolutely brutal 11.85 ERA and has already had two stints on the injured list. He pitched for about three weeks in March and April before hitting the IL with loose bodies in his throwing elbow. Then, he tried to come back in July, and the results were somehow even worse. The Dodgers kept him in the closer role for a bit, trying to ride it out, but a stretch where he gave up 11 earned runs in just nine appearances was too much. He was back on the IL on August 18, this time with neck inflammation. Talk about a brutal fall from grace.
His rehab assignment down in Triple-A Oklahoma City since early September hasn’t exactly been a confidence booster, either. We’re talking seven walks and six runs allowed across five appearances. Not exactly dominant stuff. Yet, his most recent outing, a scoreless inning with just one baserunner on a two-out double, was enough for Roberts to call it “really good” and “his best one yet.” It’s almost like they’re just desperate for anything resembling an out from him at this point.
“Meritocracy” Is the Name of the Game for the Dodgers’ Bullpen
Roberts isn’t pulling any punches about what Díaz needs to do to earn his spot back. He told reporters, “I think like anything, it should be a meritocracy. You have to earn the right of opportunities, but then you also got to perform, right? Eddie understands that. I think where we’re at now, we just need guys to buy in, perform and go from there. That’s what he’s about.” They need “quality strike throwing and get guys out.” It’s a stark reminder that even the highest-paid guy has to show up.
With Díaz scuffling all season, Tanner Scott has stepped up big time as the primary closer, sporting a solid 2.87 ERA and racking up 22 saves in 65 appearances, a huge turnaround from his own rough first season in 2025. It just shows you how much the Dodgers have had to scramble. Amazingly, the team’s current relief issues are nothing compared to what they battled last season before winning their second straight World Series. They know how to handle bullpen drama, but this Díaz situation is a whole different beast. He’s back on Friday, but it’s clear he’s got to prove everything all over again.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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