LOS ANGELES -- In a coincidence that couldn't have aligned better, Edwin Díaz was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday night -- just in time for his very first bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.
To make room for the three-time All-Star on both the active and 40-man rosters, left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes was designated for assignment.
"I got lucky," Díaz said with a smile in the clubhouse before Wednesday’s 4-2 Dodgers win over the Mariners, in which he earned his fifth save of the season. "I got activated on my bobblehead night. I can't wait. If they need me, I'll be ready."
When the top of the ninth inning arrived, the iconic sound of "Narco" echoed through Dodger Stadium for the first time in 90 days. The crowd erupted as Díaz jogged out to the mound with a 4-1 lead in hand.
"Feel great. Feel great. The fans were into it," Díaz said postgame about hearing his trumpet entrance again. "I was trying to calm my emotions -- I did it. As soon as I get to the mound, I said, 'Let's go. Let's make pitches. Let's win the game.' And that's what I did."
Díaz retired Julio Rodríguez on a flyout to center field to start the frame before navigating some ninth-inning traffic. Dominic Canzone hit a ground-rule double down the left-field line and advanced to third on a Cal Raleigh flyout to right. Josh Naylor then lined an RBI double to right to cut the Dodgers' lead to 4-2.
"As soon as I saw Naylor hit that ball ... I got worried a little bit, and then I started throwing my slider," Díaz said. "But it's my first game. I feel great."
Facing pinch-hitter Luke Raley as the potential tying run, Díaz dialed up his signature slider to induce a game-ending lineout to Freddie Freeman, locking down the victory and securing his fifth save of the season.
Díaz’s velocity was on full display throughout the outing, hitting up to 99 mph on the gun.
"I saw a couple 97s, 98s, 99s, so I was really happy with the fastball," Díaz said. "My first game back, I was a little bit anxious. I threw strikes, I made pitches. At the end of the day, I got the ‘W.’ Tomorrow [I’ll] see the video to see what they were looking at on the fastball, make adjustments, and try next time to make some pitches to make them chase."
For Roberts, seeing Díaz back on the mound touching high 90s without discomfort was the ultimate takeaway from the evening.
"It was great," Roberts said. "I know Eddie was excited. It was good to hear the trumpets and the velocity of the stuff was really good. Obviously he gave up a run, but again, just kind of getting our bullpen back to being whole, closer to being whole, it was great. ... I don't think anyone expected him to be lights out. But I think that the pain-free part of it, the velocity, the slider was really good. So all those things, those are things that you can bet on."
Díaz’s return ends a three-month absence following April surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The procedure resolved persistent soreness and extension issues that hindered the 32-year-old during his seven appearances to open the season, when his signature high-90s fastball velocity was noticeably absent.
According to Roberts, removing those bone chips -- which he noted looked like shark teeth -- cleared up the root cause of Díaz's early-season struggles.
"He says he hasn't felt this good in quite some time," Roberts said pregame. "So I do think that the erratic sprays and inconsistencies were -- that was a big reason. ... Getting him back, starting from the back end, kind of then going from there, I think we just got a lot better today."
Díaz built his arm strength back up through seven rehab appearances across the Arizona Complex League, Single-A Ontario and Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing just two runs over 5 2/3 innings while striking out 11 batters. During that stretch, his fastball velocity steadily climbed back into the 96-98 mph range.
While Los Angeles relied on a committee approach in Díaz's absence, Roberts didn't hesitate when deciding on the plan for his 10-year veteran reliever upon his return: Díaz went right back into his role as the primary closer.
"It means a lot," Díaz said of Roberts' vote of confidence. "I'm always ready to help this team. I want to help this team win. I've been on the sidelines for a long time and couldn't wait to be back."