[Eddie Diaz Positioned to Regain Closer Role Amid Strong Pitching Resume]
Team management dreams of selecting a singular closer heading into the postseason.
Following Tuesday’s commanding 7-0 triumph over the San Diego Padres, a surprising possibility surfaced—a formerly doubtful sensation returning to prominence.
Earlier this spring, uncertainty plagued the organization when the $69 million signing saw his closer duties eroded by a grueling season defined by persistent injury issues and a devastating 12.00 era figure.
Over his three appearances since resuming mobility, the three-time All-Star has inexplicably rekindled his previous dominance.
<img style=”aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async” sizes=”(max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 734px” srcset=”https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=320 320w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=480 480w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640 640w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=800 800w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024 1024w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=2048 2048w” data-modal-image=”40947714″ width=”885″ height=”590″ src=”https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/los-angeles-dodgers-pitches-edwin-141665377.jpg?w=1024″ alt=”Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz pitches during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.” class=”wp-image-40947714″/>Edwin Diaz pitches throws a pitch during the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 10-4 win over the Giants on Sept. 19, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. <span class=”credit”>IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect</span></figure>
According to Roberts, such a transition now seems viable for October’s contest plans.
Roberts drew this conclusion after Díaz delivered his finest outing yet, eliminating the Padres’ primary lineup in a powerful fifth-inning sequence.
This represented his third consecutive flawless appearance—a stretch featuring merely one hit, one walk, and six total strikeouts—and reflected an unanticipated resurgence precipitated by a recent mechanical adjustment during minor league rehabilitation.
“His recent cycles have been outstanding,” Roberts remarked. “I sought to test him against premier hitters, and he performed admirably.”
<img style=”aspect-ratio:1.40082079;display:block” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async” sizes=”(max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 734px” srcset=”https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=320 320w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=480 480w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640 640w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=800 800w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024 1024w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=2048 2048w” data-modal-image=”40947719″ width=”826″ height=”590″ src=”https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/edwin-diaz-3-los-angeles-141665326_87281d.jpg?w=1024″ alt=”Los Angeles Dodgers’ Edwin Diaz celebrates the 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants.” class=”wp-image-40947719″/>Edwin Diaz celebrates after recording the final out in the Dodgers’ 8-2 win over the Giants on Sept. 18, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. <span class=”credit”>Getty Images</span></figure>
“The delivery shows he can manage the ninth inning—that opportunity certainly exists,” the manager added.
At minimum, this evolution introduces one additional subplot to the Dodgers’ concluding week of regular season action.
The squad retains alternative closer prospects. Tanner Scott has secured victories from 27 assignments with a 2.77 ERA since replacing Díaz, while Roki Sasaki has likewise reintegrated into relief duty, replicating his critical emergency closing contributions from prior World Series runs.
As Roberts underscored on Tuesday, implementing plans anchored among a group of relievers still stands as feasible.
Nevertheless, pursuing a three-peat this campaign, the organization still envisions Díaz—and his hallmark vocal entrance into extended relief—serving as a cornerstone toward game endings.
Although his previous season deteriorated dramatically, logging just seven saves across eleven opportunities while missing three months with elbow and subsequent neck-related concussions, temporal dynamics may eventually enable him to reoccupy his founding function.
