Dodgers place Edwin Díaz on injured list as bullpen depth concerns mount

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed All-Star closer Edwin Díaz on the injured list on Tuesday, citing neck inflammation. This marks the second time Díaz has been sidelined this season, following a three-month absence from April 20 to July 29 for surgery to remove loose bodies from his pitching elbow.

Manager Dave Roberts indicated that an MRI of Díaz’s neck returned clean, describing the results as a best-case scenario with no structural or nerve-related issues identified. Roberts noted that while the diagnosis is positive, the team must now manage the immediate impact on their pitching staff.

Díaz’s first season with the Dodgers has been statistically difficult. After signing a three-year, $69 million contract during the offseason, he has posted an 11.85 ERA, a 2.56 WHIP, and a -1.4 WAR in 16 outings. His performance has been inconsistent, with seven saves offset by four blown saves. Since returning from his earlier elbow surgery, Díaz has recorded a 12.91 ERA in six save opportunities.

In his final appearance before being placed on the list, Díaz worked in relief in Colorado, allowing three runs on four hits without recording a strikeout. The move to the injured list appears to be a response to this recent performance and the broader need to stabilise the bullpen.

To address the depth issue, the Dodgers recalled Emmet Sheehan from Triple-A. The club is now relying on a mix of relievers, including Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia, who have posted lower ERAs this season. Other options include Evan Phillips and Jack Dreyer, though Roberts has previously acknowledged the lack of high-leverage alternatives in the current roster.

This injury comes at a critical time for the Dodgers, who won two consecutive World Series titles prior to this season. In the previous championship run, the team managed bullpen concerns by moving Roki Sasaki to the relief corps for the playoffs. With Díaz out, the organisation faces the challenge of finding a reliable solution for late-inning pitching without the depth that was previously available.