Dodgers ‘Treading Lightly’ With Edwin Díaz Amid Velocity Drop

Edwin Díaz blew his first save of his Los Angeles Dodgers’ career during their series opener against the Texas Rangers on Friday.

With it came a continued trend of decreased velocity by nearly two miles per hour. Immediately after the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts dismissed any concerns,

But the next day, Díaz was unavailable, and Roberts gave an ominous update that he might not be available on Sunday either, prompting concern about his health.

On Sunday, Roberts said Díaz is day-to-day and that they plan to be cautious with their star closer.

“I am confident right now, because everything I hear is that he feels fine,” Roberts said. “So I think for me, you hear it, you want to completely trust it.

“But then you’re also looking at the gun and making sure. So we’re kind of treading lightly and giving him the benefit of the doubt, but still watching.”

The Dodgers don’t have reason to believe Díaz is dealing with an injury at the moment because they can only go based off what the player tells them. However, players aren’t always truthful when they hope to avoid missing games and time.

And with no reason to think an injury is involved, Díaz will not be placed on the injured list at this time, and the Dodgers will keep a close eye on him.

“We’re still going to do what we feel is best for him and the organization,” Roberts said. “This is a day-to-day thing. It really is. It’s not an IL thing we’re talking about. It’s more day-to-day.”

When pitchers face a drop in velocity, it’s usually a major red flag, and especially when it’s as significant as 2 mph, but at the moment, Roberts isn’t too concerned.

“Below moderate. So it’s low,” Roberts said. “He takes very good care of himself. Obviously, he’s a high-profile player and very important to our club, that’s probably why I had him down [Saturday] and [Sunday] I’m still kind of yellow-lighting him until I hear back from the pitching coaches.”

Are Edwin Díaz’s issues mechanical?

The Dodgers still don’t know the reason for Díaz’s velocity drop, but they don’t think it’s mechanical.

“Not as far as delivery,” Roberts said. “We’re sort of trying to dig in a little bit. Two miles an hour or whatever it is, that’s pretty significant.

“I think that’s why we flagged it and wanted to have him down (Saturday) and kind of see where we get. Because a couple of days ago there was a lot of throws in there too.

“Also, like we’ve done many times, is play the long view with our guys.”

Roberts and Díaz have also both explained that his velocity typically starts slower early in the season before trending up. The reason for that, however, remains a mystery.

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