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Edwin Díaz is closing in on the end of his rehab assignment and could be nearing a return to the Dodgers’ bullpen, per DodgerBlue. Manager Dave Roberts initially did not rule out activating the 32-year-old off the 60-day injured list in time for the team’s upcoming three-game series against the New York Mets — a reunion that would carry some extra weight given Díaz’s history with his former club.

Díaz has been working his way back from right elbow surgery, a procedure that has kept him sidelined for a significant stretch of the 2026 season. The right-hander was one of the bigger acquisitions the Dodgers made to bolster their relief corps, and his absence has been felt. Before the surgery, Díaz had built a reputation as one of the most dominant closers in baseball during his time with the Mets, where he posted a historic 2022 campaign — 32 saves, a 1.31 ERA, 118 strikeouts in 62 innings, and a slider that was essentially unhittable. His acquisition by the Dodgers was meant to give the bullpen an elite, high-leverage arm capable of locking down the ninth inning and shortening games in October.

The rehab process from elbow surgery is never a straight line, and the fact that Díaz is nearing the end of his assignment is genuinely encouraging. Rehab stints give pitchers a chance to face live hitters in a lower-stakes environment, build up pitch counts, and — just as importantly — rebuild the confidence that can erode during long absences. Roberts leaving the door open for an activation ahead of the Mets series suggests the club has liked what it has seen from Díaz on the rehab trail, even if no firm date has been set.

For the Dodgers, getting Díaz back changes the complexion of the bullpen considerably. We’ve managed without him, but let’s be honest — the late-inning relief picture has been a patchwork operation at times this season. Adding a closer with Díaz’s pedigree gives Roberts a weapon he simply hasn’t had available. The timing matters too. We’re past the All-Star break, the trade deadline is approaching, and having Díaz healthy could influence how aggressively the front office pursues bullpen help on the market. If he comes back and looks like himself, that’s one fewer hole to fill. If the rust is real, that’s a different conversation — but the early signs point in the right direction.

I’d expect more clarity in the next day or two on whether Díaz gets activated for the Mets series or if the Dodgers give him one more minor league outing to build up. Either way, we’re close. (And yes, the idea of Díaz pitching the ninth against his old team at Dodger Stadium is exactly the kind of storyline this season needs.)

Source(s): Staff (DodgerBlue) | First reported: July 23, 2026 3:32 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers