Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz is reportedly headed back to the injured list as bullpen struggles mount

The Dodgers are reportedly preparing to place closer Edwin Díaz back on the injured list, a move that would further test a bullpen that has struggled to consistently execute late in games. According to The Athletic, the issue is expected to be related to Díaz’s upper body, not the pitching elbow that has already required surgery earlier this year.

Díaz’s season has been defined by difficulty and declining results. In 16 outings, he has posted an 11.85 ERA and a 2.56 WHIP, with a reported -1.4 WAR. Those marks, while not a complete story by themselves, illustrate why late-inning stability has become harder to find for Los Angeles.

The reporting also notes that Díaz previously spent time on the injured list earlier in the season following elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. He was placed on the IL on April 20 and came off on July 29, setting up a return that, by the team’s expectations, was meant to restore the bullpen’s closing options.

That context is particularly relevant because Díaz’s role is central to how the Dodgers manage high-leverage innings. As a closer, he is often tasked with turning small leads into outs, and an IL stint tends to force immediate reshuffling in both the bullpen’s usage patterns and the managerial math of who goes in when games tighten.

The Dodgers’ decision also comes at a time when bullpen performance can carry outsized playoff value, because late-inning failures do not just swing individual games. They can also affect how frequently key relievers are available for a short series, how quickly matchups can be exploited, and how the club’s best arms are preserved for October-style intensity.

For Díaz, the specific diagnosis matters. While the reported update suggests the issue is not the repaired elbow, any new ailment involving the upper body can still create uncertainty about mechanics, pitch effectiveness, and readiness timelines. The Dodgers will likely need to rely on other late-inning arms in the near term, while also protecting their best relief options from being overextended.

What to watch next is whether Los Angeles confirms the transaction and provides more detail on the ailment. The team’s short-term bullpen plan and the workload it assigns to setup relievers and other high-leverage options will be the clearest indicator of how long Díaz could be away and how the club intends to manage tight late-game situations in the meantime.