In a perfect world, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, the team would like to have one set closer entering the playoffs.
And by the end of Tuesday’s 7-0 win over the San Diego Padres, one unexpected name might have thrown their hat back into the ring.
A week ago, the Dodgers were not certain Edwin Díaz would even be on their playoff roster, after the $69 million offseason signing lost his closer job amid an injury-plagued season marred by an ERA of nearly 12.00.
In three outings since returning from the injured list, however, the three-time All-Star has suddenly looked like his old dominant self again.
So much so, Roberts said it remains “certainly possible” that he could factor into the Dodgers’ ninth-inning October plans.
Roberts made that claim after Díaz’s best performance yet, when he retired the top of the Padres’ batting order in order in a dominant fifth-inning sequence.
That marked the right-hander’s third scoreless appearance in a row –– a stretch that has included only one hit, one walk and six strikeouts –– and continued an unforeseen return to form triggered by a recent mechanical adjustment he made during a minor-league rehab stint.
“His last three have been fantastic with us,” Roberts said. “I wanted to see him against their better hitters, and he did a really nice job.”
Indeed, Díaz began his inning by ringing up Fernando Tatis Jr. on a front-door slider. He then fanned Dustin Harris at the end of a nine-pitch at-bat with a swing-and-miss slider. Had he used an ABS challenge, he could have punched out Manny Machado too. But he retired him all the same with a soft tapper back to the mound.
“Given all that he’s had to go through this year,” Roberts said, “to right the ship is a big credit to him.”
But will it be enough to put him back in consideration for closing duties?
Roberts made sure not to shut that door yet.
“The way he’s throwing, the ninth is possible, yes,” the manager said.
At the very least, it adds one more subplot to the final week of the Dodgers’ regular season.
The team, of course, has other closer options to consider. Tanner Scott has converted 23 of 27 save opportunities with a 2.77 ERA as Díaz’s replacement this year. Roki Sasaki has also returned to relief duties as he did at the end of last season, when he emerged as an emergency closing option during the Dodgers’ run to a second-straight World Series.
And as Roberts noted Tuesday, a closer-by-committee plan remains in play, as well.
But as the Dodgers set out for a three-peat this year, they always envisioned Díaz –– and his trademark trumpet bullpen entrance –– being a staple at the end of games.
Though he suffered a career-worst campaign, converting just seven of 11 save opportunities while missing three months with an elbow injury and another with neck inflammation, there might be time for him to reclaim his original role yet.
