Dodgers' Closer Edwin Díaz Adjusts to LA Life

Veteran reliever opens up about moving from New York to Los Angeles

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:21pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, orange, and gray, conceptually representing the transition of a star closer from one team to another.A star reliever's move from the Big Apple to the City of Angels brings new challenges and perks.Los Angeles Today

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz, who joined the team in the offseason after a successful stint with the New York Mets, sat down with MLB Central to discuss his transition from Queens to Los Angeles. Díaz touched on getting comfortable with his new teammates and the perks of the Dodgers organization, including the players having their own private plane.

Why it matters

Díaz's move from the Mets to the Dodgers was one of the biggest offseason acquisitions in baseball, as the All-Star closer looks to help lead Los Angeles to another World Series title. His ability to adapt to the new environment and mesh with his teammates will be crucial to the Dodgers' success in the 2026 season.

The details

In the interview, Díaz spoke about the differences between playing in New York and Los Angeles, noting that the Dodgers' organization provides more luxuries for the players, including their own private plane for team travel. He also discussed the process of getting to know his new teammates and building chemistry within the clubhouse.

  • Díaz joined the Dodgers in the 2026 offseason after playing for the Mets.
  • The interview with MLB Central took place on April 3, 2026.

The players

Edwin Díaz

The Dodgers' new closer, who was an All-Star with the Mets before being traded to Los Angeles in the offseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Major League Baseball team that acquired Díaz in the offseason and is looking to him to help lead their pitching staff.

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What they’re saying

“It's been a big adjustment coming from New York, but the Dodgers organization has made it really easy for me. Having our own plane is a huge perk - it allows us to rest and recover better between games.”

— Edwin Díaz, Dodgers Closer

What’s next

Díaz and the Dodgers will look to build on their early-season success as they aim to return to the playoffs and compete for a World Series championship.

The takeaway

Díaz's transition from the Mets to the Dodgers highlights the importance of veteran players being able to adapt to new environments and embrace the resources and support provided by their new organization.