Dodgers Consider Leaving Edwin Díaz Off Playoff Roster
Dodgers Consider Leaving Edwin Díaz Off Playoff Roster
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Key Points
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Díaz’s season has been disrupted by multiple health issues: he missed three months after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow and was later placed on the injured list with a neck issue.
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The Dodgers have linked Díaz’s struggles to mechanical changes, including the lowest arm angle of his career—14.9 degrees—which they say has undermined his stuff and command. His fastball averaged 11.8 inches of induced vertical break during the season, but only 9.7 inches in his Sunday rehab outing.
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Díaz’s Oklahoma City rehab assignment has produced six runs and seven walks against 21 batters; overall, he has walked or hit eight of those 21 opponents while recording only 10 outs.
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Manager Dave Roberts said, “I think the world of him. The baseball card looks great,” but emphasized that the Dodgers need “something for us to be able to hang our hat on” before trusting Díaz in October.
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Díaz’s signing followed an earlier Dodgers bullpen investment that produced little postseason impact: Tanner Scott, signed to a four-year, $72 million deal, failed to appear in a playoff game during the Dodgers’ 2025 championship run.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are weighing whether to leave closer Edwin Díaz off their playoff roster after a disastrous first season with the team. Díaz, signed to a three-year, $69 million contract, has appeared in just 16 games and owns an 11.85 ERA with four blown saves Yahoo Sports.
Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers will prioritize "the best 26 players" over protecting expensive contracts as they chase a third straight championship. Díaz must show significant improvement during his rehabilitation assignment to earn a spot, Roberts indicated New York Post.
Injuries and Poor Rehab Performance Derail Díaz's Season
Díaz's season crumbled due to multiple injuries. He missed three months after arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. A neck injury later landed him on the injured list in mid-August Heavy.
His Triple-A Oklahoma City rehabilitation assignment has been rough. In his recent outing, Díaz allowed five runs, walked three batters, and hit one while recording only two outs. Overall, he has allowed six runs and seven walks against just 21 batters New York Post.
Mechanical Changes Undermine Díaz's Arm Strength
The Dodgers have identified mechanical issues as the root of Díaz's struggles. His arm angle dropped to 14.9 degrees — the lowest of his career — which has weakened his stuff and control Yahoo Sports.
The numbers tell the story. His fastball averaged 11.8 inches of induced vertical break during the season. In his Sunday rehab outing, it fell to just 9.7 inches. That drop in movement directly affects pitch effectiveness New York Post.
Roberts Sets High Bar for October Opportunity
Manager Dave Roberts expressed support for Díaz but made clear what's required. "I think the world of him. The baseball card looks great," Roberts said. But the Dodgers need "something for us to be able to hang our hat on" before trusting him in October New York Post.
This decision reflects the Dodgers' ruthless roster approach. The team previously signed Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal, only to watch Scott fail to appear in a single playoff game during the 2025 championship run Yahoo Sports.
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