DENVER, CO—As we approach late April of the 2026 Major League Baseball season, there aren’t many concerns for the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
On paper, the team has the best record in the league, a top-five offense, and, for the most part, a very good pitching staff, with standouts such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
However, if there were one concern, it would be for newly signed All-Star closer, right-hander Edwin Díaz, who hasn’t gotten off to such a hot start with his new ballclub.
Díaz, 32, made his first appearance for the Dodgers in over nine days in yesterday’s loss to the Colorado Rockies, and proceeded to showcase some rust, allowing three runs while not even completing the inning.
The team had been cautious with the right knee over the last week, as it was confirmed to be a right knee issue that Díaz was dealing with to start the season, the same right knee that was surgically repaired after his famous 2023 World Baseball Classic injury.
Still, the red flags were present in Díaz’s latest appearances, where his fastball was down from the 97.2 mph he averaged last season, along with a lack of command of his pitches.
After the loss, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared his thoughts on where things stand on the Díaz situation.
“With Edwin, he just didn’t have any command, and the velocity was down, and, obviously, not a save situation. There might have been some adrenaline, or lack thereof, that played into it.”
“Obviously, he hasn’t pitched in eight days, so I’m certain there’s some rust to that. Again, the non-save situation, but talking to him today, he wanted to pitch regardless.
“Hopefully, it’s one of those things that he just hadn’t pitched in a while.”
Following his tough outing against the Rockies, Díaz’s numbers have climbed to a 10.50 ERA, 4.96 FIP, and 2.33 WHIP, though he still has four saves in five chances.
Díaz figures to get Monday’s series finale game off in Denver before the team continues their seven-game road trip in San Francisco. But all eyes will be on how he performs next time out and whether the Dodgers need to make another IL move.