The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly adding closer Edwin Díaz to the injured list, per The Athletic’s Katie Woo. Notably, he is being added with an “upper-body” injury, per Woo, and the Dodgers don’t believe the issue is with his elbow.
Díaz was one of the high-profile free agent signings by the Dodgers this past offseason, but he has struggled mightily in his role in L.A.
The 32-year-old has made just 16 appearances, but has an 11.85 ERA and a 2-2 record. Díaz has had 11 save opportunities and has blown four of them.
He missed three months in the middle of the season because he had loose bodies removed from his elbow. Before the procedure, he had appeared in six games and pitched six innings.
Díaz had a 10.50 ERA, but six of the seven earned runs he had allowed had come in his two final appearances before hitting the IL.
Since returning, the closer has allowed 11 earned runs in 7 2/3 innings of work for a 12.91 ERA in that span. He has a 1-2 record with three saves and three blown saves.
Díaz signed a three-year, $69 million deal ahead of this season. The contract is fully guaranteed, so the struggles this season and the elbow issues are concerning. His contract’s $23 million average annual value is the highest for a relief pitcher in MLB history.
Last season, Díaz made 62 appearances for the New York Mets. He had a 6-3 record with a 1.63 ERA, converting 28 of his 31 save opportunities.
Díaz was infamously injured in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was coming off a season with a 1.21 ERA and 32 saves with New York and was expected to cement himself as one of the best closers in baseball.
The closer was celebrating a save for Puerto Rico in the tournament and jumped into the air on the mound. When he landed, Díaz tore his patellar tendon, and it forced him to miss the entire season.
When he returned in 2024, he struggled to regain his form. Díaz finally looked like his old self with his 2025 performance, but injuries this season have derailed his progress once again.