By R. Alexander Núñez
The reliever rotation of the Dodgers will suffer a significant loss in the middle of the season. The Puerto Rican pitcher Edwin Diaz He will undergo surgery on his right elbow, which will leave him out of action for a prolonged period.
The procedure is scheduled for this Wednesday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, in California, where loose bodies in the joint will be removed. The team confirmed that his return is scheduled for the second half of the calendar, which represents an absence of close to three months.
Díaz, 32, was placed on the 15-day injured list as part of the immediate move after learning of the need for surgery. To fill his spot on the roster, organization recalled left-handed pitcher Jake Elder from Triple-A Oklahoma Metropoliswho had allowed two runs in just over five innings this season in the minor leagues.
Recent performance and bullpen adjustments
The injury comes at an irregular time for the closer. In seven appearances during the campaign, he is 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA.. In addition, he has 10 strikeouts and four saves in five opportunities. His most recent outing left warning signs: He allowed three runs without getting outs in a loss to Colorado, and he has given up three earned runs in each of his last two appearances.
Despite this recent performance, his career supports his weight within the team. With a ten-year career in Major LeaguesDíaz adds record of 29-36, a 2.91 ERA in 527 games, in addition to 257 saves in 300 opportunities and 849 strikeouts. His record includes three selections to the All-Star Game.
The reliever signed a contract last December for three years and $69 million dollars with the Los Angeles franchise, after giving up the last two years of his previous agreement with the New York Mets.
Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Edwin Díaz can have surgical plot on Wednesday to get rid of free bodies from his elbow. He is anticipating to return all over the place in the 2nd half of the season.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 20, 2026
Team context and upcoming commitments
The loss of Díaz forces readjustments in the bullpen of a team that seeks to maintain its competitiveness as reigning World Series champion for the second consecutive year.
The team was scheduled to close a four-game series against Colorado before beginning a seven-game road trip that will continue with a series in San Francisco. In this scenario, the absence of the closer represents an immediate challenge for the coaching staff, which will have to redistribute responsibilities in the final stretch of the games.
Meanwhile, the organization is confident that the recovery process will allow the pitcher to return in optimal conditions during the second half of the season.
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