Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Shares Concerning Update on Edwin Díaz Ahead of Rangers Matchup
The Los Angeles Dodgers have opened the 2026 MLB season in dominant fashion, quickly establishing themselves as one of the league’s top teams. Despite a surprising series loss to the Cleveland Guardians earlier on, the Dodgers have bounced back impressively, winning seven of their last eight games.
Their recent 6-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday guaranteed them the series win and reinforced their strong start to the campaign.
However, the series against Texas has not been entirely without issues. One of the biggest concerns has centered around closer Edwin Díaz, who struggled in the opening game on Friday. Díaz blew a save opportunity, allowing the Rangers to climb back into the contest before Max Muncy ultimately rescued the Dodgers with a dramatic game-winning home run. While the team secured the win, Díaz’s performance raised eyebrows.
Interestingly, Díaz was not called upon during Saturday’s game, even in situations where a closer might typically be used. After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the situation, offering comments that sparked concern about Díaz’s condition moving forward.
During the offseason, the Dodgers made a major investment in Díaz, signing him to a three-year, $69 million contract to solidify the closer role. Although Roki Sasaki handled closing duties during last season’s World Series run, the organization envisions him transitioning into the starting rotation long-term. That left Díaz as the clear choice to anchor the bullpen.
There’s no doubt about Díaz’s talent. He remains one of the premier closers in baseball, coming off an outstanding 2025 season where he earned his third All-Star selection. That year, he recorded a 6-3 record, an impressive 1.63 ERA, 28 saves, and 98 strikeouts. His arrival in Los Angeles was expected to provide stability and dominance at the back end of games.
So far in 2026, Díaz has collected four saves, but his overall performance has been inconsistent. His ERA has climbed to 6.00, largely due to his rough outing against Texas, where he surrendered three runs and allowed the game to be tied. The dip in effectiveness has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.
Roberts revealed after Saturday’s win that Díaz was intentionally held out due to concerns about his performance. Specifically, the manager noted a drop in velocity, which is often a red flag for pitchers. Roberts explained that the team wanted to give Díaz time to rest and evaluate how he feels before making further decisions.
At this point, it remains unclear whether Díaz is dealing with an injury or simply experiencing a temporary slump. However, any decline in velocity can signal underlying issues, making his situation one worth closely monitoring.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, their roster depth provides some reassurance. Even if Díaz needs time to recover or reset, the bullpen has enough talent to manage late-game situations effectively. As the team prepares for the final game of the series against Texas, all eyes will remain on Díaz’s status and whether he can quickly return to form.
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