LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers’ bullpen was supposed to be the finishing touch on a roster designed for October. Instead, for the next few months, it will be a puzzle with a missing centerpiece.
For the first time since undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow last Wednesday, Dodgers relief pitcher Edwin Díaz spoke with reporters on Monday, offering an optimistic outlook on his recovery and his future on the mound.
The procedure was described by the three-time Reliever of the Year as a necessary step after his velocity and comfort on the mound began to waver earlier this month.
“I had like five loose bodies in my elbow,” Díaz said. “Everything went well and I’m feeling really good right now.”
The presence of loose bodies -- small fragments of bone or cartilage that break off inside a joint -- is not new for Díaz. He noted that he has managed the condition since signing as a professional in 2012 without experiencing significant symptoms. However, the discomfort reached a tipping point during the Dodgers’ recent series in Colorado.
On April 19, Díaz struggled significantly, failing to record an out while allowing three runs on three hits. It was a stark departure from the pitcher the Dodgers committed $69 million to this past December. After the outing, he felt an unfamiliar tightness and fatigue in his arm that prompted him to alert the team’s medical staff.
“I was feeling good,” Díaz said. “But on Sunday in Colorado, I didn’t feel comfortable throwing. So I told them, ‘Hey, I feel weird. I can keep throwing, but my arm doesn’t feel good. I feel tired.’ And they sent me to get some images. And the loose body was there. So the decision was, just take the loose body out and rehab and be ready for the second half.”
The timing of the surgery is a significant blow to a Dodgers bullpen that entered the season with high expectations for its depth and late-inning versatility. Díaz was projected to be the team's primary closer while the bullpen awaits the midseason return of Evan Phillips, who is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
While Díaz has converted four saves this season, his 10.50 ERA through seven appearances suggests he was battling his mechanics and physical limitations well before the surgery. Díaz admitted on Monday that the loose bodies likely contributed to his uncharacteristic 2.33 WHIP and inconsistent velocity.
“I think my range of motion was a little bit shorter than normal,” Díaz said. “Now, after surgery, I’m getting close to what I was, what I am when I was good. So I think that maybe that’s why the velo was a little bit inconsistent.”
With Díaz sidelined until at least the All-Star break, the Dodgers must pivot. The team is now forced to lean more heavily on internal depth, including right-hander Blake Treinen and left-handers Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia. These veterans are expected to shoulder the load in the late innings while the team hopes for consistent production from younger arms competing for innings in the middle frames.
Despite the setback, Díaz expressed relief that the issue wasn't more severe, such as a ligament tear requiring Tommy John surgery. He also remains adamant that the surgery was the correct course of action, noting that his range of motion has already shown marked improvement.
“I think 100 percent,” Díaz said of his confidence level in avoiding further issues after his rehab. “My arm is feeling way better than it did on Sunday. That's a good sign. Right now, just a couple of days after surgery, I can move my arm really good. My range of motion is completely back to normal.”
Díaz faces a recovery process that will keep him from throwing for a few weeks as he waits for his stitches to be removed. Once cleared, he will begin a progression program to regain his arm strength and command.
For a new arrival still trying to make his mark in Los Angeles, the wait is the hardest part. He acknowledged that missing time during his first season with a new team has been difficult, but he feels encouraged by the support from his teammates.
“That sucks, you know, to miss the first half with a team,” Díaz said. “I'm new with this team. But that's something I can't control. Everyone here is supporting me. They say, ‘Take your time, we need you in October.’ But I want to come back as soon as possible and help this team to win games.”