Why this insider would be hesitant to immediately make Edwin Diaz Dodgers’ closer again

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been up and down in recent weeks, dropping the first game of their series vs the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday evening. Reliever Edwin Diaz has been on the injured list recently due to a neck issue, which occurred after he struggled following his return from a different injury.

Now, MLB insider Tom Verducci broke down why he wouldn’t be in a rush to bring Diaz back if he were Los Angeles.

“The arm is down a little bit from where it was last year, but to me, I’ve got to find him a runway to get him back confidence-wise and stuff-wise. He’s got to establish strike one, show hitters he can land that slider in the zone. So I’m not just handing him the job there,” he said, per Foul Territory on X, formerly Twitter.

Diaz had spent a good chunk of the year sidelined with a different injury before returning and looking like a shell of the New York Mets star that the Dodgers thought they were signing in free agency last year.

Of course, Los Angeles still has plenty of other options at its disposal for the closing role, so if Diaz is unable to round back into form before the playoffs arrive, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Dave Roberts and company turn in a different direction for the playoffs.

The Dodgers are one of two teams in the MLB with 80 or more wins this season, along with the Milwaukee Brewers, and will look to get hot at the right time ahead of the playoffs.

Los Angeles will continue its season on Wednesday on the road against the Braves.

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