Los Angeles Dodgers star right-hander Edwin Díaz has been one of the best closers in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the past 10 years. However, it seems injuries have taken their toll, and this season he's performing at a level far below what we're used to.

The injury that has defined Edwin Díaz's season is in his right elbow (he had several fragments of bone or cartilage inside the joint). Although the Puerto Rican had known about this problem for years, it wasn't until the start of this season that it began to cause him discomfort and significantly limit him. This became evident on April 19 against the Colorado Rockies, when he failed to record a single out and allowed three runs and three hits.

Noticias de MLB MLB hoy EN VIVO: Noticias, rumores y movimientos | 13 de agosto de 2026

After that game, "Sugar" felt his arm fatigued and a sensation that he couldn't throw normally. An MRI revealed the loose bodies, and he ended up undergoing surgery on April 22. He returned to MLB action on July 29, and since then, he hasn't looked as dominant as ever. In fact, his average velocity on his four-seam fastball has decreased compared to the previous year (97.2 mph in 2025 and 96.2 mph in 2026). The difference in his slider is barely noticeable (89.1 mph versus 88.9 mph this year), while he hasn't used his changeup, a pitch that was part of his repertoire last season.

How did the injury affect Edwin Díaz's performance?

As I mentioned earlier, the velocity of his fastball has been one of the most noticeable factors. He himself has stated on multiple occasions that this situation had slightly reduced his range of motion, which could make his velocity inconsistent. This helps explain why his start to the season was so poor by his standards (7 appearances, 6.0 innings, 9 hits, 5 walks, 10.50 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, and four saves). Although he maintained his tendency to strike out batters, striking out 10.

According to Baseball Reference, since his first appearance on July 29, he has appeared in six games and hasn't fared well either (5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K). Overall, this year he has a high ERA of 9.82, well below his career ERA of 2.97 (2.91 before the start of this season).

Edwin Díaz's performance doesn't appear to be a simple slump

It doesn't seem that Edwin Díaz's performance has simply dropped due to a bad streak. The physical problem was affecting fundamental elements of his repertoire: comfort while pitching, range of motion, and especially velocity. For a pitcher like him, whose elite fastball also sets up his slider, losing 1 or 2 mph can significantly change the quality of his pitches. His recovery after surgery was relatively good, as during his rehab in the Minor Leagues (in July) he had several scoreless outings.

However, his return to the top level hasn't been entirely smooth. This August, he continues to show inconsistency and allow many runs. Even so, there are positive signs, as in his last outing on August 10th, he pitched a perfect ninth inning against the Royals and earned his sixth save, showing that he can still regain the dominant form that has always accompanied him throughout his MLB career.

Who is Edwin Díaz?

Edwin Díaz was born on March 22, 1994, in Naguabo, Puerto Rico. He was drafted in 2012 by the Seattle Mariners, the team with which he debuted in 2016. He is considered one of the most dominant relief pitchers in Major League Baseball over the last 15 years.

The right-handed closer, who currently wears the Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, is known as "Sugar." The three-time All-Star has also stood out for his powerful fastball and slider, leading the league in saves with the Mariners and establishing himself as an elite closer, with one of the best strikeout rates per nine innings in MLB history.

For more Latin American baseball news, follow our WhatsApp channel by clicking here.