'X Stubbornness' Shock: No Closer Change Despite 7-Game Losing Streak, Why? The Manager Speaks Directly

*This content was translated by AI.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz (32) collapsed again. With the closer shaken, the Dodgers ultimately fell into a seven-game losing streak.

On the 8th (Korean time), the Dodgers suffered a 3-4 extra-inning loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in an away game of the 2026 MLB regular season at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

The Dodgers surrendered one run in the second inning and another in the fifth, trailing 0-2. However, they scored one run each in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game at 2-2. In the eighth, Andy Paredes hit a go-ahead solo home run as the leadoff batter, giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, with the Dodgers failing to score, Arizona launched its final offensive attack. The Dodgers brought in closer Diaz.

But Diaz collapsed on his own.

Arizona's leadoff batter, Max Kepler, drew a walk after a full-count battle lasting eight pitches. The next batter was struck out on three pitches. With one out, the ninth batter, Ryan Worldschmidt, stepped up to the plate. Worldschmidt, with a 2-2 count, attacked a slider that was located right in the middle of the plate on the sixth pitch, launching a go-ahead two-run home run over the left-center field wall. Diaz, standing on the mound, had no choice but to bow his head under the burden of defeat.

With this extra-inning home run, the Dodgers fell into a seven-game losing slump. They maintained first place in the National League West with 69 wins and 47 losses. The gap with second-place Arizona in the same division has narrowed to just 7.5 games.

Diaz's slump is alarming. In 11 appearances this season, he has recorded 1 win, 1 loss, 5 saves, and an ERA of 11.00. Over 9 innings pitched, he allowed 15 hits (3 home runs), issued 7 walks, and recorded 14 strikeouts while surrendering 11 runs (all earned). His batting average against is 0.357, and his WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) stands at a staggering 2.44.

Diaz made his major league debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2016. In the 2018 season, he appeared in 65 games, recording 4 losses (0 wins), 57 saves, an ERA of 1.96, and 124 strikeouts, leading the American League in saves.

Diaz was traded to the New York Mets in 2019. Ahead of the 2023 season, he signed a massive five-year, $120 million (150.1 billion won) contract with the Mets. However, he suffered a knee injury during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) ahead of the 2023 season and was ruled out for the year. Additionally, in the 2025 season, he received a suspension after being found to have ingested a foreign substance. His performance last season was 6 wins, 3 losses, 28 saves, and an ERA of 1.63.

Ahead of the 2026 season, Diaz exercised his opt-out clause (a provision allowing contract termination due to FA rights exercise mid-contract) and entered free agency. The Dodgers extended a hand to him. Thus, Diaz signed a three-year, $69 million (approximately 101.5 billion won) contract with the Dodgers and donned their blue uniform.

However, his start this season was not good. In the first seven games after opening day, he collapsed with 1 win, 4 saves, and an ERA of 10.50. There was a reason: his elbow hurt. He eventually underwent surgery. After having loose bodies removed from his elbow joint in April, he dedicated himself to rehabilitation for about three months. He made his major league debut on the 30th of last month against the Seattle Mariners. But he struggled, allowing two hits and one run in one inning, barely securing a save. Finally, in today's game, he collapsed after surrendering an extra-inning two-run home run. Over four games since returning from injury, his record was 1 loss with no wins, 0 saves, and an ERA of 12.00 (3 innings, 6 hits allowed, 2 home runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 4 runs).

According to Japanese media Sports Niche, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game, "Extra-inning losses are always unpleasant. We didn't play well offensively or defensively. Yet there was definitely a chance to win. Unfortunately, we couldn't close it out at the end." He expressed his regret directly.

Regarding Diaz, he added, "His fastball velocity was good. However, his slider was not. It seems he hasn't fully regained his feel for the slider since returning. Of course, going through this situation is difficult. Diaz is also working hard to solve the problem. But in the process of fixing issues, especially handling late-game situations, it is challenging. Still, he has experience doing what he has done so far. He is not a player who runs away from problems." He expressed his trust.

Regarding the closer change, Roberts insisted, "Honestly, we should consider other options. However, other relievers are not pitching exceptionally well either. Therefore, their roles up to this point must be maintained as they have been for now. At this moment, I have not yet found a clear alternative to say 'we must replace him with this pitcher'."

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*This content was translated by AI.