Dodgers Dealing with Diaz Injury Concern, Ohtani Warning, and Snell Outburst

Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz's velocity drop raises questions, Shohei Ohtani promises more to come, and Blake Snell fires back at a critical fan

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:59pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with the players and field broken down into abstract shapes and colors, capturing the dynamic energy and tension of the sport.The Dodgers navigate a complex web of injuries, outbursts, and MVP-level talent as they aim to maintain their status as one of baseball's elite teams.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing several notable storylines, including concern over closer Edwin Diaz's decreased fastball velocity, a warning from Shohei Ohtani that his best is yet to come, and an outburst from pitcher Blake Snell directed at a fan criticizing his injury status.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are one of the top teams in baseball, so any potential injuries or distractions to key players like Diaz, Ohtani, and Snell could have a significant impact on their season. Fans and media will be closely watching how the team manages these situations.

The details

Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz has seen a 1.7 mph drop in his average fastball velocity, leading to some concern from the team. Manager Dave Roberts said they are being cautious with Diaz, who was unavailable on Saturday. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani, the four-time MVP, had a slow start to 2026 but warned the rest of MLB that his best is yet to come. Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell also made headlines by firing back at a fan who criticized him for being on the injured list, expressing his frustration with the real pain he is feeling in his throwing arm.

  • On Sunday, Ohtani launched the first pitch the Dodgers saw into the stands for an early lead.
  • Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki hurled 94 pitches across four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts and five walks.
  • Diaz's average fastball velocity has dropped 1.7 mph, leading the Dodgers to be cautious with him.

The players

Edwin Diaz

The Dodgers' closer who has seen a concerning drop in his average fastball velocity.

Shohei Ohtani

The four-time MVP who had a slow start to 2026 but has warned the rest of MLB that his best is yet to come.

Blake Snell

The Dodgers' pitcher who fired back at a fan criticizing him for being on the injured list, expressing his frustration with the real pain he is feeling in his throwing arm.

Roki Sasaki

The Dodgers' right-hander who hurled 94 pitches across four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts and five walks.

Dave Roberts

The Dodgers' manager who discussed the team's concern over Diaz's decreased fastball velocity.

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What they’re saying

“Two miles an hour, that's pretty significant. So I think that's why we sort of flagged it. We wanted to have him down [Saturday] and kind of see what we get. Because a couple days ago there were a lot of throws in there too. So just trying to also, like we've done many times, play the long game with our guys.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

“Like I can f---ing control that. Hey, shoulder. Don't have inflammation. Don't pitch in the postseason when your shoulder didn't feel good. Don't try to win a World Series. Oh, you can't start the season because your shoulder still hurts from pitching?”

— Blake Snell, Dodgers Pitcher

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Diaz's velocity and make decisions about his usage accordingly. Ohtani and Snell will look to continue their strong play and leadership for the team as they navigate the early part of the season.

The takeaway

The Dodgers are facing a few key storylines that could impact their season, from Diaz's injury concern to Ohtani's warning and Snell's outburst. How the team manages these situations will be crucial as they aim to maintain their status as one of the top teams in baseball.