The report from Pat Ragazzo for Sports Illustrated stated: “In Diaz’s latest appearance, the hard-throwing righty gave up three runs and averaged 95.5 mph on his four-seam fastball. For context, Diaz’s four-seamer averaged 97.2 mph last season with the Mets. It’s averaging just 95.8 mph this season.”

Although the Dodgers have not indicated whether this dip in velocity could put his closer role in jeopardy, it is already raising concern internally given how heavily they expect to rely on him in key upcoming games in April.

Diaz’s season

In his first MLB season with Los Angeles, Díaz has appeared in six games, throwing 6.0 innings with a 6.00 ERA. Those aren’t strong numbers, but it has been a relatively quick adjustment period after spending a long stretch with the New York Mets.

Experience remains the key factor for the Dodgers, but they also know they may need to lean on other arms when Díaz is not at his best. That’s where Tanner Scott comes in, stepping in as the primary closing option when needed.

When will Diaz return to the mound?

There is no clear timeline for a full turnaround, although he has not been placed on the injured list. He is currently listed as day-to-day and has continued to throw. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Díaz has also said he is not dealing with any serious injury or physical issue.

Joining Team Puerto Rico once again, Diaz has the support of teammates, including Kike Hernandez, who weighed in on the pitcher’s choice. Hernandez highlighted the cultural significance and pride behind representing Puerto Rico, explaining that Diaz’s participation was understandable despite the risks.

Diaz addressed the criticism directly, putting the 2023 injury in context. “I have only one response for that. I didn’t get hurt pitching. It was after the game. That could have happened to me anywhere. If I got hurt pitching, it’s different. But I was just trying to celebrate,” he said, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Dodgers count on Diaz staying healthy

For a Dodgers pitching staff that struggled with injuries in 2025, having Diaz perform without setbacks is crucial. Los Angeles will be closely monitoring his workload during the WBC to ensure he’s ready for the 2026 MLB season and the team’s title defense.

Teammates support cultural

Hernandez added context on the significance of representing Puerto Rico: “It was a freak injury, and he was willing to do it all over again. Those games just mean so much to us, being able to wear that uniform.” Diaz’s commitment reflects both personal pride and the competitive spirit that comes with international play.

Los Angeles bolstered its bullpen by signing Diaz and later added another major bat in Tucker. While the Dodgers have built a reputation for pursuing top-tier talent, Roberts admitted that this particular wave of moves caught him off guard, even as Mookie Betts is expected to shift positions this coming season.

“I was a little bit (surprised),” Roberts admitted on MLB Network Radio. “At the outset of the offseason I liked our ball club. But Mark Walter and our ownership group are very competitive and want to be great.”

He added, “He communicated that to Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes and said, ‘If there’s an opportunity to go after Edwin and Kyle Tucker, let’s be players.’ That’s how it played out. How do you get good and get better? You get better players. And we got two of the best guys on the free agent market.”

Dodgers continue all-in approach

The Dodgers already featured one of the most talented rosters in baseball before free agency began. Adding Diaz and Tucker only reinforces their status as the team to beat.

Ownership’s willingness to invest heavily reflects a clear objective: sustain dominance. The front office continues to capitalize on championship windows rather than settle for incremental improvements.

Championship expectations remain sky-high

Los Angeles has captured three World Series titles this decade, including two in the last two seasons. With that success comes even greater expectations.

The Dodgers now enter 2026 aiming for a third consecutive championship. With Diaz strengthening the bullpen and Tucker adding impact offense, Roberts’ club appears positioned for another deep postseason run.

One of the offseason acquisitions meant to fill those gaps is Jorge Polanco, brought in to take over at first base. But questions are already swirling around the $40 million infielder, even before the season has begun. Most notably, Polanco has never played a full major league season at first base, coming as former Mets slugger Pete Alonso made it clear how he feels about his move to the Orioles.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report recently labeled Polanco a potential bust, highlighting both health concerns and positional inexperience. “There’s no doubt that Jorge Polanco was excellent for the Seattle Mariners last season, homering 26 times and posting an .821 OPS for a club that finished within a win of the World Series,” Kelly wrote.

He also added, “The biggest problem, though, with the Mets giving him a two-year, $40 million deal this offseason is that he played in just 302 of a possible 486 games between 2021 and 2023. He’s a major risk from a health sense. Additionally, the Mets are asking him to slide over to first base, a position he’s played only once in his MLB career.”

Mets manager faces challenges with Polanco

Polanco will need to adjust quickly to first base while also maintaining his offensive production. Manager Carlos Mendoza will have to find ways to get him comfortable at a new position while monitoring his at-bats and overall health. There is also the possibility that Polanco’s bat could regress after a strong season in Seattle, adding to the uncertainty.

High stakes for Mets’ offseason move

While the Mets made several moves this offseason to rebuild, the signing of Polanco stands out as one of the riskiest. He will need to prove doubters wrong in 2026 if the Mets hope to compete in the National League East and offset the departures of Alonso and Diaz.

With these additions joining the lineup, Roberts orchestrated an initiative to integrate Tucker and Diaz, aimed at boosting team morale. He encouraged them to share with their new teammates the reasons behind their decision to join the Dodgers over numerous other suitors.

According to Roberts, Tucker and Diaz commended the Dodgers for their meticulousness, the professionalism displayed on the field, and the organization’s commitment to player families. “It’s impactful for our team to hear that perspective from fresh eyes,” Roberts noted.

As the Dodgers strive to foster a winning environment to defend their title, their General Manager Brandon Gomes, issued a clear response to Bryce Harper and Manny Machado’s recent comments on team spending.

Roberts’ insights on his success with the Dodgers

Roberts is currently recognized as one of MLB’s premier managers, not only for securing consecutive titles but for his exceptional career in the league. When probed about his accomplishments, he shared insights into the ‘secret’ behind his success.

“What makes a good manager? Good players, and we’ve got a lot of good players,” Roberts told ESPN’s Buster Olney, highlighting the formula that has cemented his reputation as one of the top managers in MLB.

Graterol’s absence from Opening Day roster

Roberts also delivered unfortunate news regarding Brusdar Graterol, who will not be ready for the start of the season. He joins a teammate of Shohei Ohtani’s who will also miss the season opener.

With this in mind, the Dodgers are preparing for their first spring training match this Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels. Fans will get the chance to see the new recruits alongside stars like Ohtani before the World Baseball Classic kicks off.

“It’s a market I was in. I was a free agent so I got the chance to talk to everyone. The Dodgers did a great job recruiting me. At the end of the day, I chose to be here. I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization, players, staff and ownership. I don’t have anything bad to say about them,” Diaz said recently.

Diaz notably avoided mentioning Cohen directly, even though the Mets owner had spoken openly about the former Met. His response was measured and cordial, clearly aimed at avoiding any controversy with the organization he spent six seasons with.

Diaz says he feels good with the Dodgers

As part of his response to Cohen’s comments, Diaz closed with a telling remark: “This is a new journey for me and I’m happy to be with the Dodgers,” suggesting he was ready for a fresh start and an opportunity to prove himself beyond his tenure in New York.

With the Dodgers, Diaz is set to earn $17 million for the 2026 season as part of a three-year, $69 million deal. The contract also includes deferred money extending through 2047, essentially functioning as a long-term financial plan for the veteran reliever.

Cohen, meanwhile, loses a pitcher who posted a 2.93 ERA with the Mets from 2019 through 2025. Over that span, Diaz appeared in 332 games and recorded a 24-22 record in decisions, solid numbers for one of the more reliable arms in the bullpen.

Owner Steve Cohen acknowledged that the transition was emotional, both for fans and for him personally. While the Mets made competitive offers to retain their stars, financial limits and player preferences ultimately shaped the outcome of free agency.

In an interview with Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, Cohen addressed both situations candidly — admitting that Alonso’s departure was easier to process than Díaz’s unexpected move to Los Angeles.

Cohen on Pete Alonso’s exit

Cohen explained that the Mets were unwilling to extend to five years in negotiations with Alonso. The slugger ultimately secured a five-year, $155 million deal from the Baltimore Orioles — an offer Cohen described as “great.”

Given the organization’s internal valuation, the Mets chose not to match that length of commitment, signaling a strategic shift in long-term roster construction.

Díaz’s decision caught Mets by surprise

The situation with Edwin Díaz unfolded differently. The All-Star closer agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite what Cohen characterized as a strong offer from New York.

“I did find that one perplexing,” Cohen said. “I’m not sure exactly how Edwin arrived at that decision. Obviously it’s a personal decision on his part and I thought we made a pretty respectable bid.”

Emotional shift, competitive expectations

Beyond the business side, Cohen admitted the departures carried personal weight. Many of the exiting players — including Alonso and Díaz — were part of the roster when Cohen first took ownership of the team.

“I felt it too, by the way,” Cohen said. “The players that left were the players that I started with in my ownership, Day 1. And so I had developed pretty close relationships with some of these players. From a personal standpoint, I really felt it.”

However, the roster overhaul has also brought renewed optimism. The Mets added several playoff-tested players this winter, including Bo Bichette, reshaping both the clubhouse and on-field identity.

“I’m excited by this team,” Cohen said. “It’s different than the team we had last year, but a lot of these players that we got are playoff tested. Gamers. They performed in high pressure situations. I expect this team to be a playoff team.”

Despite their reputation, landing Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker was not as straightforward as fans might think. Díaz, a star closer, signed a three-year, $69 million deal, setting an AAV record for relievers, while Tucker secured a four-year, $240 million contract with opt-outs—one of the most lucrative short-term deals in recent memory.

However, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes recently revealed a surprising truth about the process: Los Angeles didn’t initially see themselves as the frontrunners for either star.

“You have to do your due diligence. You check in on guys you think would be a fit, even if it’s likely a long shot,” Gomes explained during a “Baseball Isn’t Boring” interview. “Like, we felt Edwin was a long shot. We felt Tuck was definitely a long shot … then as things become more real, just being ready to fire.”

Could the Dodgers’ spending approach be too dominant for MLB balance?

While Díaz’s decision was influenced by the Mets’ inability to retain him, Tucker’s free agency lasted longer, giving him multiple high-value offers from Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. Tucker ultimately chose the Dodgers’ proposal, highlighting LA’s financial might.

Even if the Dodgers didn’t initially see themselves as favorites, the perception is clear: when Los Angeles engages in the market for a top free agent, they are a difficult team to beat.

Now, Diaz is gearing up for a crucial 2026 MLB season with the reigning back-to-back World Series champions. As he joins the Dodgers, the star reliever broke his silence on his exit from New York with an honest message to the Mets.

“We took an offer to the Mets and they said they have a gap to negotiate. We took it to the Dodgers and they accepted it right away. Given they accepted it right away, I couldn’t go back to the Mets and tell them this is what the Dodgers are offering me. When the Dodgers said yes, I decided to sign with them,” Diaz told reporters in Puerto Rico about his free agency decision.

Mixed reaction

While Mets fans are still settling to the news of Diaz’ departure, the reaction from users in social media to the reliever’s thought process is quite polarized. On the one hand, many argue he didn’t give New York a fair chance to match Los Angeles’ offer.

Others, however, believe Diaz deserved to decide on his own. After realizing the Mets were skeptic about giving him such a deal, Diaz made the reasonable—and honestly, logical—decision to sign with the Dodgers.

Fresh start away from New York

Moreover, the fact the Dodgers are coming off consecutive championships whereas the Mets didn’t even make the postseason in 2025 can’t be overlooked. Though Diaz didn’t explicitly mention it, it probably played a role in him signing with the Boys in Blue.

Given how passionate the fan base in Queens is, don’t expect anyone to forget about Diaz’s decision when the Dodgers and Mets face off in a three-game series at Citi Field next season, from July 24–26.

“I spoke to Lindor during the process,” Diaz revealed to Sports Talk PR. He further admitted that Lindor supported him: “And after I signed, he called me, and I explained the reasons why I didn’t come back to the Mets, and he understood and was happy for me.”

This may be surprising for Mets fans, but it is likely not for Lindor, as there is a possibility he was aware of the entire process, much like Juan Soto was with the Pete Alonso situation following his move to the Orioles.

Edwin Diaz reiterates focus on Dodgers

Diaz once again emphasized that the Dodgers are a winning team, stating his arrival in Los Angeles is a key moment for his career, and he feels he will perform well playing for the current World Series champions. He made the comments in Spanish to Collazo (@cmf_collazo) in Puerto Rico.

“We have a team that’s gonna win. At this point in my career, I’m looking for a team that has the opportunity to win, and the decision was the Mets or the Dodgers. I chose the Dodgers because again, I think they’re gonna win and I’m gonna do well there.”

Diaz’s responses regarding his move to the Dodgers have always been clear; he isn’t afraid to tell people what happened during the decision-making process. Now that it is known Lindor was aware of the process, Mets fans can at least feel assured that it was not a sudden decision to leave New York.

The thing is the Dodgers retired No.39 in honor of 3x MVP Roy Campanella. Hence, the number isn’t eligible and that forced Diaz to seek a new jersey number. He already has a new one.

Diaz will use the No.3 jersey because of his three sons. It’s a heartfelt dedication to Diaz’s biggest inspiration as he embarks in a new adventure with the back to back MLB champions.

Edwin Diaz will be a huge boost to the Dodgers

The Dodgers saw their bullpen become one of their weaknesses last season. Diaz is a very good reliever. He is also a magnificent closer. The Dodgers have a good one on their hands right now.

Diaz was an All-Star last season with the Mets. He had a 3.0 WAR, pitched on 62 games, closing 48 of them. He had 28 saves and had 98 strikeouts and allowed 37 hits. Diaz is one of the best in the business.

The Dodgers hope Diaz solves their troubles

Yoshi Yamamoto had to close the World Series Game 7 because the Dodgers didn’t have any closer. Diaz is the one who should step up from now on. According to Fox Sports, Diaz was the sixth-best closer in baseball last season.

In the second half of last season, Diaz held opponents to a .158 batting average. He also had a .509 OPS and registered the highest strikeout rate among all the qualified relievers (44.3%). The Dodgers trust him so much that they paid him $69 million for the next three years.