Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz to have elbow surgery, could miss season

Bill Plunkett, The Orange County Register on Apr 20, 2026

Published in Baseball

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DENVER — The Dodgers thought something was not right with their new closer. And they were right.

They placed Edwin Diaz on the injured list with loose bodies in his right elbow on Monday. Diaz will have surgery to address the issue. His return date will be determined after the procedure, but it is possible he will not pitch again this season.

Diaz has pitched with diminished velocity on his fastball this season, dropping to just 92.8 mph on one pitch during his outing on Sunday. Diaz faced four batters and didn’t retire any. His ERA ballooned to 10.50 through his first seven appearances this season.

Sunday’s appearance was Diaz’s first time on the mound in nine days — since a blown save on April 10 against the Texas Rangers. Signed for three years and $69 million as a free agent last winter, Diaz had converted his first four saves before that, but the Dodgers were concerned that he wasn’t feeling right and examined his right knee. Diaz had that knee surgically repaired after an injury during the 2023 World Baseball Classic and missed an entire season.

“Today was a tough evaluation. I mean, it really was,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday’s outing. “Because I know what it’s supposed to look like, and when it doesn’t look like that, it gets a little concerning, really. And so, I’ll have a conversation with him. I know our training staff, and pitching guys will, and make sure that there is nothing to it, because the radar gun has been consistent, and his velocity has been consistent in that, and it wasn’t there today.

“I gotta know more.”

The Dodgers recalled left-hander Jake Eder to take Diaz’s spot on the roster. Eder was acquired from the Washington Nationals on April 1 in exchange for cash considerations. He made three appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old made one appearance for the Chicago White Sox in 2024 and eight with the Angels last season, posting a 4.87 ERA in 20 1/3 innings total.