Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz to miss three months from elbow surgery

Edwin Diaz (YouTube)

According to Darragh McDonald of ESPN on Monday, Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz of Naguabo, Puerto Rico will miss the next three months of the season. That is because Diaz needs elbow surgery to remove loose elbow bodies.

It has been a disastrous start to the season for Diaz. He has an earned run average of 10.50 after his first seven Dodgers appearances. In his last two games on the mound, Diaz has been particularly bad as he has given up six earned runs in only one total inning of work against the Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies.

Still, when you pitch for the Dodgers it is not surprising he has a record of one win and zero losses. His win came on April 10 in the 8-7 Dodgers win over the Rangers. Diaz blew the save as he gave up three runs in the top of the ninth inning, but was declared the winning pitcher when third baseman Max Muncy of Midland, Texas hit his third home run of the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. 

The bottom line is a lot was expected from Diaz when he first joined the Dodgers. Two weeks before the Christmas holiday season, he signed a three-year deal worth $69 million. However, so far Diaz has not pitched effectively. With the injury to Diaz, expect Tanner Scott to be the Dodgers closer. He has a sensational earned run average of 1.04 and an amazing WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 0.58 after his first 10 appearances of the season.

Despite Diaz’s struggles, the Dodgers remain the best team in baseball. They are at 16 wins and six losses after their first 22 games.