Díaz is Back
Dodgers Activate Edwin Díaz from Injured List After 85-Game Absence for Elbow Surgery
Cue the trumpet. Edwin Díaz is back. The Los Angeles Dodgers activated their star closer from the injured list on Saturday after he missed 85 games following elbow surgery, according to AP News.
Díaz, 32, underwent arthroscopic surgery in April to remove loose bodies from his elbow. Before going down, he had gone 1-0 with four saves over seven appearances and six innings pitched, per AP News.
Díaz Steps Back Into the Closer Role
With Díaz healthy again, the Dodgers are returning their ninth-inning job to him. He is best known for his dramatic walk-up music — a live trumpet fanfare — that has become one of baseball's most recognizable moments. The Puerto Rico native was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 2012 draft and made his big league debut in 2016, according to Houston Chronicle.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated pitcher Charlie Barnes for assignment, AP News reported. The move signals the team's confidence that Díaz is ready to handle high-leverage situations again.
Tanner Scott Filled the Void With 16 Saves
While Díaz was sidelined, left-hander Tanner Scott stepped in as the Dodgers' temporary closer. Scott did the job well. He finished the stretch with 16 saves and a 2.65 ERA during Díaz's 85-game absence, per Winnipeg Free Press.
Scott's strong performance gave the Dodgers stability in the back of their bullpen. Now the team has a decision to make about how to use him alongside a healthy Díaz heading into the final stretch of the season.
Elbow Surgery Wiped Out Most of Díaz's Season
Díaz went under the knife in April after doctors found loose bodies in his elbow. Loose bodies are small bone or cartilage fragments that float inside a joint and can cause pain and reduced motion. The procedure is called arthroscopic surgery — a minimally invasive operation using a small camera, Herald Bulletin noted.
The 85-game absence cost Díaz most of the 2025 season. He had only six innings pitched before the injury. Getting him back gives Los Angeles one of baseball's most electric relievers for a potential playoff push.
Dodgers Bullpen Now Has Two Elite Options to Close
The Dodgers enter the second half of the season with a suddenly deep bullpen. Díaz brings elite stuff and a flair for the dramatic. Scott brings fresh confidence after proving himself as a reliable closer with a sub-3.00 ERA in that role, according to Yahoo Sports.
How manager Dave Roberts deploys both arms could be key down the stretch. Díaz's return gives Los Angeles a weapon that few other teams can match — assuming his elbow holds up after the long layoff.
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