When the Los Angeles Dodgers guaranteed three-time All-Star Edwin Díaz $67 million in December, the contract set a record for the highest average annual value ever given to a closer.
It made sense for the Dodgers, who won the 2025 World Series in sprite of — not because of — a bullpen that blew 27 saves, tied for sixth in MLB, during the regular season. Tanner Scott’s four-year, $72 million deal, signed in January 2025, was supposed to remedy the situation. It did not.
MORE: Dodgers make trade, acquire Orioles’ 27-year-old rookie
Scott, a left-hander, struggled to the tune of a 4.74 ERA in his first season in Los Angeles. By October, he had been replaced in the closer role by rookie Roki Sasaki.
When Diaz came aboard, it was supposed to solve the Dodgers’ most obvious issue. Now they are in need of another solution.
Díaz was placed on the 15-day injured list April 20 with loose bodies in his elbow. While the diagnosis certainly helps explain the 31-year-old’s declining speed, it also could keep him on the shelf for much longer than the 15-day minimum.
MORE: Dodgers make trade, acquire former top pitching prospect from Phillies
As first reported by to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Díaz will undergo a procedure to address the loose bodies in his elbow.
Exactly who will close for the Dodgers — and for how long — remains to be seen.
According to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, the surgery will sideline Díaz for “somewhere in the neighborhood of three months.” That would put Díaz on track for a return in late July.
While the injury is unfortunate, the timing could be worse. Díaz should have time to return this season. Perhaps given a long runway in rehab, his velocity will return as well.
And, for all his struggles last season, Scott is pitching more like the All-Star who finished the 2025 season in San Diego. He’s allowed only five hits, no walks, and one run in 8.2 innings (1.04 ERA) to start the season.
Left-handers Alex Vesia (0.00 ERA in 8.2 innings) and Jack Dreyer (1.93 ERA in 9.1 innings) should also merit consideration if manager Dave Roberts goes with a closer committee. Veteran right-hander Blake Treinen (4.05 ERA in 6.2 innings) has ample experience in the role as well.