Dodgers manager Dave Roberts concerned about closer Edwin Diaz's struggles

Diaz has dealt with knee discomfort and uncharacteristic performances early in the season

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:11am

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A cubist, geometric deconstruction of a baseball pitcher's motion, with sharp, overlapping planes in muted colors, capturing the tension and uncertainty surrounding the Dodgers' closer situation.The Dodgers' closer struggles raise concerns about the team's bullpen depth and reliability as the season progresses.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed concern over the recent struggles of closer Edwin Diaz, who has dealt with knee discomfort and uncharacteristic performances to start the season. Diaz blew his first save of the year against the Rangers and was unable to record an out in a recent appearance against the Rockies, leading Roberts to say he will have a conversation with the closer about his status.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are a strong team, but if Diaz cannot be relied upon as the closer, it could be a significant issue for the team. Roberts is taking a cautious approach with Diaz's workload as they try to get him back to his normal level of performance.

The details

Diaz experienced discomfort in his right knee in his most recent appearance against the Rangers, which prompted the Dodgers to be cautious with his workload. Roberts said the team will evaluate Diaz's usage 'day-to-day' and that the concern level is low, but they want to make sure he is fully healthy before increasing his workload. However, Diaz's struggles continued on Sunday against the Rockies, when he was unable to record an out, leading Roberts to say he will have a conversation with the closer about the situation.

  • On April 16, Diaz blew his first save of the season against the Rangers.
  • On April 23, Diaz was unable to record an out against the Rockies.

The players

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has expressed concern over closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles and is taking a cautious approach with his workload.

Edwin Diaz

The Dodgers' closer, who has dealt with knee discomfort and uncharacteristic performances to start the season, leading to concerns from manager Dave Roberts.

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What they’re saying

“Today was a tough evaluation. I know what it's supposed to look like, and when it doesn't look like that, it gets a little concerning, really. So, I'll have a conversation with him.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Diaz's status and workload, and Roberts plans to have a conversation with the closer about his recent struggles.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' success this season could hinge on Diaz's ability to regain his form as the team's closer. Roberts is taking a cautious approach, but the team needs Diaz to be reliable in the late innings if they want to make a deep playoff run.