Edwin Díaz's difficult first season in Dodger blue took another hit on Tuesday.
Los Angeles is expected to place the All-Star closer back on the injured list with neck inflammation on the right side, manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday.
Díaz’s injury is unrelated to the April procedure he underwent to remove loose bodies from his pitching elbow. The righty made seven appearances for the Dodgers before the surgery, struggling considerably in his final two outings before being placed on the injured list on April 20.
Díaz returned from the IL on July 29, but his struggles persisted. He has allowed at least one run in six of his nine outings since being activated, including three runs on Thursday against the Brewers and three more on Monday in Colorado. Díaz has blown three saves since returning and four overall while saving just seven games all season. In 13 2/3 innings, he has an 11.85 ERA and a 2.56 WHIP.
It’s been a tough year for the 32-year-old closer, who had a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves a year ago for the Mets. The three-time All-Star signed a three-year, $69 million deal to join the Dodgers in the offseason but has failed to shore up a bullpen that gave Los Angeles problems at times last season but solidified in time to help the club win its second straight World Series.
Depending on how much time Díaz misses, the right-hander might not be a factor in L.A.’s stretch run in 2026. Roberts had stuck by Díaz as the club’s closer even despite his struggles, but lefties Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia and righties Edgardo Henriquez and Evan Phillips could all fill in on the back end.