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The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without their closer until at least the second half of the season.
Three-time All-Star Edwin Díaz will reportedly undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow on Wednesday. He is expected to miss at least three months of the season, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz (3) throws against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Dodgers do not have an obvious, primary closer currently listed in the bullpen. But the memories of Roki Sasaki’s dominant performance as a closer for Los Angeles during their World Series run last season has some people urging the Dodgers to put the struggling starter back in the bullpen.
The Dodgers have expressed multiple times that Sasaki will remain in the starting rotation, despite his struggles in spring training and early this season.
So far in the 2026 season, Sasaki has posted a 6.11 ERA, walked 12 batters and given up four home runs while striking out 17 batters in four starts. In spring training, he accrued a 15.58 ERA and walked 15 batters in 8.2 innings.
Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
With Díaz, the Dodgers could reconsider using Sasaki as a closer again. But Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes quickly shut down that idea on Monday.
“No,” Gomes said when he was asked if the team would move Sasaki to the bullpen.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters the plan is to use a committee of relievers to close out games for now. This committee is expected to primarily consist of Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen.
“I feel comfortable with a handful of guys that I feel that can close out games for us,” Roberts said, per MLB. “Right now, I’m not going to name a closer.”
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The post Even With Edwin Díaz Out, Dodgers Won’t Move Roki Sasaki Back to Bullpen appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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Three-time All-Star Edwin Díaz will reportedly undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow on Wednesday. He is expected to miss at least three months of the season, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
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Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz (3) throws against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Dodgers do not have an obvious, primary closer currently listed in the bullpen. But the memories of Roki Sasaki’s dominant performance as a closer for Los Angeles during their World Series run last season has some people urging the Dodgers to put the struggling starter back in the bullpen.
Dodgers Stand Firm on Sasaki’s Role
The Dodgers have expressed multiple times that Sasaki will remain in the starting rotation, despite his struggles in spring training and early this season.
So far in the 2026 season, Sasaki has posted a 6.11 ERA, walked 12 batters and given up four home runs while striking out 17 batters in four starts. In spring training, he accrued a 15.58 ERA and walked 15 batters in 8.2 innings.
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Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
With Díaz, the Dodgers could reconsider using Sasaki as a closer again. But Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes quickly shut down that idea on Monday.
“No,” Gomes said when he was asked if the team would move Sasaki to the bullpen.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters the plan is to use a committee of relievers to close out games for now. This committee is expected to primarily consist of Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen.
“I feel comfortable with a handful of guys that I feel that can close out games for us,” Roberts said, per MLB. “Right now, I’m not going to name a closer.”
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The post Even With Edwin Díaz Out, Dodgers Won’t Move Roki Sasaki Back to Bullpen appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
