The Los Angeles Dodgers are one step closer to getting their designated closer back. Right-hander Edwin Díaz has joined Triple-A Oklahoma City in the final leg of his rehab assignment. Díaz needs to complete a back-to-back outing before being activated off the injured list. If all goes well, he could join the team when they return home next week, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.
Edwin Díaz Could Return Next Week
On the Mend
Díaz was one of the premier free-agent signings last winter. After a couple of effective outings, however, the right-hander struggled with his control. The walks were up, and the velocity of the fastball was down. An ERA over 10.00 signaled that something was wrong. Díaz has been sidelined since early May after having elbow surgery to have “floating bodies” removed. For what it’s worth, the right-hander went 2/3 of an inning today. He gave up one run, on one hit, with two strikeouts. Perhaps, more importantly, his fastball was clocked at 97 miles per hour at its highest. Tomorrow’s outing will be a good indication of just how far his recovery has progressed,
Edwin Díaz started his back-to-back with OKC in Sacramento today. He’ll make one more rehab start after that over the weekend (likely Sat). There is a chance both Díaz and Kiké Hernández are active to kick off the next homestand (7/28) #Dodgers
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) July 22, 2026
Plugging a Hole
The Dodgers were hoping that the closer would close a very big hole at the back end of the bullpen that plagued the team for the majority of the season last year. Effective right-handed relief was hard to find, so the Dodgers improvised and used starters as relievers in the postseason. It ended fairly well, with the team winning their second straight World Series title. However, it is clear that Los Angeles would rather not repeat the exercise.
The Fill-In
Fortunately, the Dodgers had a resident closer step up in Díaz’s absence. Left-hander Tanner Scott has filled the void admirably in 2026. He has 15 saves and compiled an ERA of 2.41 and has averaged more than a strikeout per inning pitched. In other words, he has returned to his original effective form after a nightmare season in 2025. Scott is one huge reason the Dodgers have dominated the National League West this year,
One Big Update
Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen session of 30 pitches today. Apparently, he used everything in his repertoire, and everything “looked normal,” according to pitching coach Mark Prior. No word, however, on when Ohtani’s next start will be.
Main Photo Credit: © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
