The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently navigating a challenging situation with their star closer, Edwin Díaz, whose fastball velocity has seen a significant decline. This drop has sparked discussions within the team regarding his availability and overall effectiveness, especially after a recent blown save. While Díaz maintains he is not nursing any injuries, the team, led by manager Dave Roberts, is exercising caution, treating his status as a day-to-day evaluation to ensure his long-term well-being and performance.
On a recent Saturday night, despite holding a three-run advantage in the ninth inning, the Dodgers opted against deploying Díaz, a high-profile signing from December. This decision followed a Friday night game where Díaz relinquished a three-run lead in the ninth inning, throwing 23 pitches in the process. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that the previous night's workload was a primary factor in making Díaz unavailable. This strategic management of the bullpen aligns with the team's approach throughout the initial three weeks of the season, where pitchers typically receive rest after throwing a substantial number of pitches.
Roberts elaborated on the situation, stating on Sunday that ongoing conversations with the pitching staff and observations of Díaz's velocity dictate his playing status. He plans to assess Díaz's condition during catch play and consult with trainers before making any definitive decisions. Roberts acknowledged Díaz's assertion of feeling fine but emphasized the need to cross-reference this with the radar gun readings, which reveal a noticeable decrease in speed. This cautious approach underscores the team's commitment to both player health and strategic performance.
During the Friday outing, Díaz's average fastball speed was recorded at 95.5 mph across nine four-seam fastballs, a figure consistent with his season average of 95.8 mph. This represents a significant deviation from his career average, which has consistently been at least 97 mph, including 97.2 mph in the 2025 season. Historically, Díaz has shown a pattern of starting the season with lower velocity in April, a trend observed since 2022, excluding his absence in 2023 due to a torn patellar tendon.
This season, Díaz has participated in six games, recording 10 strikeouts out of 29 batters faced, but also allowing four runs over six innings. His current average velocity would mark the lowest monthly average of his career. Roberts highlighted the 2-mph drop as significant, indicating a concern that the team is actively investigating. The Dodgers' strategy involves a long-term perspective, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of Díaz and the organization, emphasizing that this is a day-to-day management issue rather than an injury requiring an immediate injured list placement.
The Dodgers are proceeding with careful consideration for Edwin Díaz, balancing his self-reported fitness with the objective data of his pitching velocity. The team's management reflects a broader strategy of protecting their pitchers from overuse, particularly after demanding outings. This situation highlights the intricate balance between player well-being, strategic bullpen deployment, and maintaining competitive performance throughout the demanding baseball season.
