Key Takeaways
- • Edwin Díaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2026 offseason after seven seasons with the New York Mets, a decision Mets owner Steve Cohen characterized as "perplexing" in February.
- • During a Dodgers-Mets series in April 2026, Díaz met with Cohen and stated their relationship remains professional: "We have a good relationship. He understands this is a business," while clarifying they did not discuss his free agency decision.
- • Díaz experienced knee concerns related to his surgically repaired knee that sidelined him for most of the previous week, causing a dip in fastball velocity; he downplayed the injury severity, stating "I feel ready to continue pitching."
- • The Dodgers did not deploy Díaz during the three-game sweep of the Mets despite him not pitching in five days, with manager Dave Roberts electing to rest him ahead of a series in Colorado; Díaz has not appeared in a game since the previous Friday.
- • Díaz's health status represents a critical factor for the Dodgers' bullpen performance, which currently ranks fourth in the National League with a 3.24 ERA, positioning him as essential to their closer rotation alongside Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen.
Summary
Edwin Díaz, the All-Star closer who departed the New York Mets to join the Los Angeles Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract this offseason, addressed his transition from his former organization during a Dodgers-Mets series in April 2026. Mets owner Steve Cohen had publicly expressed bewilderment over Díaz's decision to leave New York, where he had spent seven seasons. During the teams' matchup in Los Angeles, Díaz met with Cohen and offered measured remarks about their relationship.
"We have a good relationship," Díaz stated. "He understands this is a business. We talked about many things. We didn't talk about my decision." Díaz also emphasized his respect for the Mets organization, noting they "treated me really good." He credited the Dodgers' recruitment efforts as the primary factor in his decision, describing it as "wasn't easy" after his extended tenure in New York but justifying the move on competitive grounds.
During the series, Díaz did not appear in any games as the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep. The 31-year-old closer has navigated early-season concerns related to a surgically repaired knee that sidelined him for most of the prior week and coincided with a decline in fastball velocity. Despite the injury history, Díaz downplayed severity concerns, stating he felt "confident" and "ready to continue pitching." Manager Dave Roberts elected not to deploy him during the sweep, opting for rest ahead of a Colorado road series despite Díaz not pitching in five days.
Díaz's health trajectory carries significant implications for the Dodgers' bullpen efficiency. The team's bullpen currently ranks fourth in the National League with a 3.24 ERA, with Díaz's availability in the ninth inning allowing manager Roberts to deploy mid-relief options Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen in more favorable matchups. The Dodgers organization views Díaz's reliability at closer as critical to their competitive standing, particularly given bullpen weaknesses that persisted during the previous season.
"We have a good relationship," Díaz stated. "He understands this is a business. We talked about many things. We didn't talk about my decision." Díaz also emphasized his respect for the Mets organization, noting they "treated me really good." He credited the Dodgers' recruitment efforts as the primary factor in his decision, describing it as "wasn't easy" after his extended tenure in New York but justifying the move on competitive grounds.
During the series, Díaz did not appear in any games as the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep. The 31-year-old closer has navigated early-season concerns related to a surgically repaired knee that sidelined him for most of the prior week and coincided with a decline in fastball velocity. Despite the injury history, Díaz downplayed severity concerns, stating he felt "confident" and "ready to continue pitching." Manager Dave Roberts elected not to deploy him during the sweep, opting for rest ahead of a Colorado road series despite Díaz not pitching in five days.
Díaz's health trajectory carries significant implications for the Dodgers' bullpen efficiency. The team's bullpen currently ranks fourth in the National League with a 3.24 ERA, with Díaz's availability in the ninth inning allowing manager Roberts to deploy mid-relief options Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen in more favorable matchups. The Dodgers organization views Díaz's reliability at closer as critical to their competitive standing, particularly given bullpen weaknesses that persisted during the previous season.
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