Dodgers’ Edwin Diaz opens up after losing closer role
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Edwin Diaz is back on injured list, this time with a neck injury. He is expected to recover before the end of the season, but he will no longer be the team’s closer when he returns.
The Dodgers signed the defending two-time National League Reliever of the Year with plans for him to be the team’s closer. But an early-season elbow injury and struggles on the mound have forced Los Angeles to pivot away from that plan.
Diaz has posted a career-worst 11.85 ERA and converted seven of his 11 save opportunities in 16 appearances.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Diaz will not be the team’s closer when he returns. Roberts explained that he hopes utilizing Diaz in lower-stake situations will help boost his confidence before the postseason.
“I think it’s more of getting him back healthy and then putting him in some softer-landing situations to get the confidence, to get the feel and the trust of executing pitches, getting major-league hitters out and then at that point in time we’ll go from there,” Roberts said.
Diaz Opens Up About Demotion From Closer Role
Tanner Scott is expected to be the Dodgers’ closer.
Diaz admitted to reporters that he has not pitched well this season. But he praised Scott’s performance on the mound this season and said he was happy for him to get the chance to close for the Dodgers.
“Yeah, because that’s why they signed me here to be the closer,” Diaz said. “But I haven’t pitched good this year, so you know, like I said, Tanner is doing a really good job. Really happy for him.”
The Dodgers signed Scott ahead of the 2025 season with the intention of making him the team’s closer. But like Diaz this season, Scott struggled in his first season with Los Angeles. He posted a 4.74 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 57 innings.
This season, Scott has improved his ERA to a 2.24 ERA across 56 appearances and will now be the Dodgers’ closer.
