Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz is making encouraging progress in his recovery after undergoing elbow surgery on April 22 to remove loose bodies. The veteran reliever has been out of action since the procedure but appears to be on schedule for a return.
Initially, Diaz was expected to miss approximately three months, and recent developments suggest he remains on track to meet that timeline.
Speaking with David Vassegh of AM570, Diaz shared a positive update regarding his rehabilitation process.
“I feel great,” Diaz said. “I threw my first bullpen session on Friday, and it went even better than I expected. Everything felt easier than I thought it would, so I’m very happy with the progress. I’m moving in the right direction and looking forward to finishing my rehab and getting back with the team.”
Diaz indicated that his goal is to rejoin the Dodgers shortly after the All-Star break, which aligns with the organization’s original expectations. Before then, he hopes to begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment.
“My first bullpen session was excellent,” Diaz explained. “I feel healthy. I’ve been playing catch every day and sticking to my routine. The plan now is to continue throwing bullpens, face live hitters a few times, go on a rehab assignment, and hopefully return after the break.”
The injury interrupted what was expected to be an important season for Diaz in the Dodgers’ bullpen. Before being sidelined, he appeared in just seven games and struggled to a 10.50 ERA.
Although Diaz insisted he was healthy early in the season, the Dodgers eventually became concerned that something was wrong. After further evaluation, the team shut him down and determined surgery was necessary to correct the issue.
One of the earliest warning signs was a noticeable decline in Diaz’s fastball velocity. Known for his power pitching, he saw his fastball dip to as low as 92.8 mph, well below his typical levels.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, Diaz has already begun regaining velocity during his recovery. Manager Dave Roberts revealed that the reliever was throwing between 91 and 93 mph during his recent bullpen session, an encouraging step forward.
The Dodgers signed Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract during the offseason with the expectation that he would serve as the club’s primary closer, particularly in high-pressure postseason situations.
While injuries have prevented him from making a significant impact during the first half of the season, Los Angeles remains hopeful that Diaz can return at full strength and play a key role down the stretch as the team pursues another deep playoff run.
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