The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up a tight 2-1 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night, but the biggest takeaway had little to do with the final score.
Instead, all eyes were on who didn’t take the mound in the ninth inning.
Despite a clear save situation against his former team, All-Star closer Edwin Díaz was once again unavailable, as left-hander Alex Vesia handled the ninth and delivered a clean 1-2-3 inning to secure the victory. The decision came just hours after manager Dave Roberts insisted Díaz “feels great” and is “available,” raising new questions about the true state of the $69 million closer.
Díaz hasn’t pitched since Friday, when he allowed three earned runs in his first blown save of the season and later admitted he “didn’t feel right.” While the Dodgers have publicly downplayed the concern, their in-game decisions are beginning to tell a different story.
And now, the speculation is only growing louder.
Dodgers’ Usage Pattern Suggests More Than “Precaution”
Coming into the series, Roberts framed the situation cautiously but optimistically.
“I talked to Edwin briefly… and he feels great,” Roberts said pregame. “He’s wanting to pitch… we feel very confident that he’s in a good spot.”
Yet when the moment arrived Tuesday night, the Dodgers turned elsewhere.
In a one-run game against the Mets, Díaz’s former team, this would have been the ideal spot to get him back on the mound, especially after multiple days of rest. Instead, Vesia got the call and needed just 10 pitches to shut the door, striking out all three batters in a dominant 10-pitch inning.
If Díaz were truly 100 percent, it’s hard to explain why he wasn’t used.
This isn’t just about one game. It’s now been multiple days without an appearance, paired with earlier reports of a velocity dip and physical discomfort. Around the league, that combination typically signals something more than simple caution.
While the Dodgers claim they are managing a minor issue, their actions suggest something that could potentially be more serious.
Dodgers’ Strong Pitching Masks Growing Concern
Lost in the situation is how well the Dodgers actually played.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto turned in another strong outing, going 7.2 innings while allowing just one run on four hits and striking out seven.
He kept the Mets off balance all night and set the tone early. His performance came a day after Justin Wrobleski’s dominant start, in which he threw eight shutout innings and allowed just two hits.
With the game tied late, Kyle Tucker delivered the decisive blow, ripping a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the eighth that ultimately proved to be the difference. It was a timely hit in a low-scoring game where chances were limited on both sides.
But even with the win and the Dodgers improving to 13-4 to start the season, the focus quickly shifted back to Díaz.
When a clear save situation comes up and Alex Vesia gets the ball instead of the $69 million closer Edwin Díaz, it raises real concerns.
Turning away from your closer, especially in that moment against his former team, could signal the issue is more serious than originally believed.
Dodgers’ Save Decision vs. Mets Sparks Major Edwin Díaz Questions