Who will close games with Díaz absent? Dodgers GM explicitly rejects possibility of Sasaki as reliever

Los Angeles Dodgers ace closer Edwin Díaz is confirmed to undergo surgery for a right elbow injury and is expected to be sidelined for up to three months. According to US media reports, the team will not designate a fixed closer in the short term, and the widely discussed plan of shifting Roki Sasaki to a relief role has been explicitly rejected by the club.

The Dodgers announced that Díaz, due to the presence of a "loose body" in his right elbow, has been placed on the injured list and will undergo surgery to remove it. He is expected to return only after the All-Star break. Díaz joined the Dodgers in the offseason on a three-year, $69 million contract, and after appearing in just seven games this season, his injury is a significant blow to the bullpen's strength.

Manager Dave Roberts revealed that Díaz suddenly felt discomfort during a recent game and was unable to retire any batters before leaving the field. "This was the first time he felt something abnormal in his elbow, but discovering the issue early in the season allows us to address it promptly." The team subsequently arranged an MRI, confirmed the injury, and decided he would undergo surgery.

When asked whether Tanner Scott might resume the closer role during Díaz's absence, Roberts did not directly confirm, stating only that the team would adjust flexibly based on game situations. "Sometimes the crucial moment comes in the seventh inning. We have several pitchers who can handle high-pressure situations, and we won't assign the closing duties to a single fixed person at this time."

On the other hand, Roki Sasaki, who impressed in relief during last year's playoffs, has also been suggested as a potential bullpen reinforcement. However, The Athletic reporter Fabian Ardaya reported that Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes responded with a simple "No," directly dismissing this possibility.

Díaz's performance has been inconsistent early this season. In his last two appearances, he allowed three runs each, including a ninth-inning blown save against the Texas Rangers and a recent outing against the Colorado Rockies where he gave up three runs without retiring a batter, pushing his ERA to 10.50.