Edwin Díaz Blows 4th Save in 10 Chances as Dodgers Stick With $69 Million Closer
Updated
Updated · New York Daily News · Aug 14
Edwin Díaz Blows 4th Save in 10 Chances as Dodgers Stick With $69 Million Closer
3 articles · Updated · New York Daily News · Aug 14
Summary
Three runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning sank Díaz again Thursday, turning a 5-4 Dodgers loss to Milwaukee into his fourth blown save in 10 chances.
Fastball command has driven the slide: since returning July 29 from April elbow surgery, Díaz has allowed at least one run in five of seven outings and blown three of four save opportunities.
An 11.57 ERA in 14 appearances has put pressure on his ninth-inning role, but manager Dave Roberts signaled no immediate change, saying the Dodgers lack an easy alternative.
Tanner Scott has 16 saves and a 2.25 ERA filling in this year, yet Los Angeles still values his late-inning flexibility while waiting on Díaz, signed in December to a three-year, $69 million deal, to stabilize.
With a $69 million contract and an 11.57 ERA, what hidden factors force the Dodgers to keep Edwin Díaz in the closer role?
Are post-surgery mechanics to blame for Díaz’s meltdown, or is a deeper psychological hurdle destroying the Dodgers' most expensive bullpen investment?
How did a historic record-breaking night at Dodger Stadium unravel into a devastating bullpen collapse against the National League's top team?