{"id":593514,"date":"2026-02-26T06:04:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T06:04:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/593514\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T06:04:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T06:04:23","slug":"new-dodgers-closer-edwin-diaz-makes-spring-training-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/593514\/","title":{"rendered":"New Dodgers closer Edwin D\u00edaz makes spring training debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. \u2013\u2013 There were no trumpets. It was not the ninth inning.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But a year removed from the Dodgers\u2019 maddening search for a trustworthy closer, the appearance of Edwin D\u00edaz still came as a welcome sight.<\/p>\n

For the first time since signing a three-year, $69 million deal<\/a> to become the Dodgers\u2019 new closer over the offseason, D\u00edaz made his spring debut in the team\u2019s Cactus League contest against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n

But a year removed from the Dodgers\u2019 maddening search for a trustworthy closer, the appearance of Edwin D\u00edaz still came as a welcome sight. JASON SZENES FOR CA POST<\/p>\n

Even in his first spring outing, the right-hander was touching nearly 97 mph with his fastball and collecting a strikeout with a swing-and-miss slider. And though he allowed a one-out single and another deep fly ball that Hyeseong Kim had to track down on the run in center, he pitched a scoreless fourth inning in the 10-7 victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cFelt really good,\u201d D\u00edaz said afterward. \u201cI was trying to throw strikes \u2026 and I think I did a pretty good job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year, the ninth inning was a nonstop headache for the Dodgers. Tanner Scott flopped as the team\u2019s primary closing option, blowing an MLB-most 10 saves after arriving on his own lucrative free-agent deal. Most of the alternative options fared no better, especially after Evan Phillips went down with Tommy John surgery and Blake Treinen began battling elbow problems.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

Only at the end of the regular season did the Dodgers find some stability, when Roki Sasaki returned from a shoulder injury to anchor the bullpen through much of the playoffs.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, however, Sasaki was the Dodgers\u2019 starting pitcher, beginning his long-planned return to the team\u2019s rotation. Scott, meanwhile, was back at Camelback Ranch, continuing to rectify last year\u2019s struggles in a live batting practice session.<\/p>\n

Now, it is D\u00edaz who has been fully entrusted with ninth-inning duties \u2013\u2013 representing the Dodgers\u2019 most established closing option since Kenley Jansen departed five years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n

JASON SZENES FOR CA POST<\/p>\n

In some ways, that role makes D\u00edaz an even more critical addition than $240 million outfielder Kyle Tucker<\/a> was this winter. The Dodgers are banking on the 31-year-old, three-time All-Star to remain arguably the best closer in the league.<\/p>\n

Not that the pressure is getting to the nine-year big-league veteran.<\/p>\n

Instead, D\u00edaz\u2019s primary focus is on preparing to pitch in next month\u2019s World Baseball Classic<\/a> with Team Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe California Post is here. Sign up for Morning Report.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the perfect blend of news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

After Wednesday\u2019s outing, he talked at length about his excitement for the tournament, which will allow him to play on Puerto Rican soil (where group stage games will be held) for his first time as a professional.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s the most important thing for me, pitching in front of my family and friends,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople from Puerto Rico, they don\u2019t have the chance to travel and see us play in the big leagues. So the chance to play in front of my family and friends will be something I\u2019m looking forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also joked that, in order to dye his hair white to match his Puerto Rican teammates, he had to seek out some hairstyling help.<\/p>\n

He talked at length about his excitement for the tournament, which will allow him to play on Puerto Rican soil. JASON SZENES FOR CA POST<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I did it myself,\u201d he laughed, \u201cI\u2019d maybe go bald.\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u00edaz said he will make one more Cactus League appearance with the Dodgers before departing for the WBC. He will then try to get through the tournament healthy, after blowing out his knee while celebrating a win in the 2023 edition.<\/p>\n

Once he returns to the Dodgers, the next challenge will begin: trying to shore up the biggest weakness from last year\u2019s team and deliver on the reliever-record $23 million his new contract will pay per season.<\/p>\n

But for now, D\u00edaz was simply happy to be back in game action, and making his unofficial debut with a club desperate to see him succeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I threw the ball really good,\u201d he said. \u201c(I\u2019m feeling) ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u00edaz said he will make one more Cactus League appearance with the Dodgers before departing for the WBC. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Ryan returns: Beyond D\u00edaz and Sasaki, there was another notable pitching outing in Wednesday\u2019s game. For the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery as a rookie in 2024, right-hander River Ryan returned to the mound, tossing a scoreless inning in his continued pursuit of an Opening Day rotation spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was definitely nerve-racking,\u201d Ryan said. Yet, he flashed his potential by hitting 98 mph with his fastball, and showing off what he feels is an improved six-pitch mix, describing his stuff as \u201cjust as good, if not better, than before I got hurt.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cJust got to get feel back with them all,\u201d Ryan added, after retiring two of his three batters and having a walk negated when the baserunner was caught stealing. \u201cBut I\u2019m really happy with how the day went.\u201d<\/p>\n

Klein gets dinged: Right-handed reliever and World Series hero Will Klein had a less successful day on the mound, giving up a home run to Pavin Smith on a first-pitch fastball he left up in the zone.<\/p>\n

Kim patrols center: Wednesday was Hyeseong Kim\u2019s first time playing center field this spring, and he impressed with not only his running catch in the fourth inning to bail out Diaz but also a sliding grab coming in on a ball during the first inning to help limit the damage for Sasaki. While Kim will primarily play the infield this year, his outfield versatility could help him earn more at-bats.<\/p>\n

Up next: Tyler Glasnow will make his first start of the spring Thursday, when the Dodgers return to Camelback Ranch to face the White Sox. At 5-0, they will try to remain the last unbeaten team in Cactus League play.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t