Dodgers NLDS Notes: Edwin Díaz, Edgardo Henriquez & Starting Rotation

The Los Angeles Dodgers earned the benefit of a postseason bye and now are reaping the full benefit as the Philadelphia Phillies staved off elimination to force the Atlanta Braves to a winner-take-all Game 3 in their Wild Card Series matchup.

The winner advances to face the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, which begins Saturday at Dodger Stadium. The start for time for Game 1 has not yet been decided as it hinges on whether or not the San Diego Padres or Chicago Cubs reach the NLDS to play the Milwaukee Brewers.

In the meantime, the Dodgers are spending the rest of the week going through workouts and simulated games, much like their approach in 2024 that proved beneficial.

Dodgers updates

Edgardo Henriquez

The Dodgers avoiding the Wild Card Series this year has proven beneficial for multiple players dealing with an injury, including Edgardo Henriquez.

He missed the final two weeks because of lower back discomfort but has made steady progress in his recovery and is on track for the NLDS.

“We’ll get him some work this week. He’s trending really well at this point,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said on Tuesday. “His last live BP went well, he’s responding positively after he throws and isn’t feeling any lingering discomfort.

“We’ve still got a few steps to go, but if that all goes well, then yeah, the expectation is he’ll be on the roster.”

Edwin Díaz

Elsewhere in the Dodgers bullpen, Edwin Díaz finished the regular season on a high note after returning from a stint on the 15-day injured list because of a neck issue.

“I don’t know if we could have asked much more out of Edwin. I think it was, like, a 50-plus percent strikeout rate when he came back,” Gomes noted. “Felt like each outing was more and more sharp, and looking more like himself.

“Feels like he’s in a great place right now, stuff out of hand is as good as it’s been all year, and we know that he has pitched in the hottest of hot games in the past, and in any role, especially in the postseason. He’s looked great and glad that he’s in the position that he’s in and was able to bounce back after the IL stint.”

Díaz threw five scoreless innings, allowed just one hit and one walk while collecting nine strikeouts across five appearances upon getting activated Sept. 18. While Gomes projected confidence, what may still be different for Díaz is he’s not relied upon as the primary closer.

Starting rotation

Even without Shohei Ohtani pitching, the Dodgers are heading into the playoffs with a formidable starting rotation that consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. What order they will pitch in has not yet been decided.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team would not set their NLDS rotation until Thursday, at which point they would know whether the Braves or Phillies advanced.

“I say that because just trying to figure out opponent and the schedule going forward, not sure about game times and things like that. We’re having conversations but we’re not definitive yet,” Roberts explained.

“I think opponent certainly should matter, could matter. Talking to Mark Prior about where guys are at. To be honest, we could really put all four guys in a hat and run them out there. But I think there is going to be more thought behind it. We don’t need to make a decision right now, so really just trying to be clear and talk through it.”

Last year the Dodgers almost exclusively used Snell (Wild Card, NL Championship Series and World Series) as their Game 1 starter. Ohtani started against the Phillies in the opener of the NLDS.

One change from the 2025 postseason is Glasnow’s first appearance likely won’t come out of the bullpen during the NLDS due in part to a different schedule.