Dodgers Star Closer Edwin Díaz Undergoes Elbow Surgery, Faces Three-Month Recovery
POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, USA — The Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed on Monday that their prominent closer, Edwin Díaz, is set to undergo surgery to address loose bodies in his elbow, an injury...
POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, USA — The Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed on Monday that their prominent closer, Edwin Díaz, is set to undergo surgery to address loose bodies in his elbow, an injury expected to sideline him for approximately three months.
The necessary medical procedure is scheduled for Wednesday at the esteemed Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. Prognosis suggests that Díaz will not be available to rejoin the team until the latter half of the baseball season.
In response to the injury, the 32-year-old right-handed pitcher has been officially placed on the 15-day injured list. To fill the void in the bullpen, the Dodgers have recalled left-hander Jake Elder from their Triple-A affiliate, Oklahoma City.
Elder, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals on April 1 in a cash transaction, has made limited appearances this season with Oklahoma City, allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings pitched.
Prior to his injury and placement on the IL, Díaz’s performance this season had been challenging. Across seven appearances, he registered a 1-0 record with a 10.50 ERA, accumulating 10 strikeouts and converting four out of five save opportunities.
His recent outings underscored these struggles, including yielding three runs without recording an out in Sunday’s 9-6 loss to Colorado. This marked the second consecutive game where he conceded three earned runs.
Díaz joined the Dodgers on a significant three-year, $69 million contract last December. This move followed his decision to opt out of the final two years, valued at $38 million, of his previous agreement with the New York Mets.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, aiming for another championship run as two-time defending World Series champions, were scheduled to wrap up their four-game series against the Rockies on Monday night. Their schedule then transitions into a seven-game road trip, commencing with a series in San Francisco on Tuesday. For insights into the enduring rivalry between these two storied franchises, explore the history of the Dodgers-Giants rivalry.
The absence of a key bullpen arm like Díaz presents a notable challenge for the team as they navigate the demanding MLB season.
