Dodgers closer role a giant question mark amid Edwin Diaz uncertainty
In Dave Roberts’ view, whatever contribution Shohei Ohtani makes as a pitcher for the remainder of the season will be a bonus.The Dodgers have to think of Edwin Diaz in similar terms. Diaz is back on the injured list, this time with a neck problem.Roberts sounded certain Diaz would pitch again this season, but even if the manager is right, there’s no guarantee how the $69-million closer will perform when he returns.Here’s the deal: The Dodgers can’t count on Diaz to pitch the ninth inning for them in the playoffs.At this point, they’ll be fortunate if he can pitch effectively in any role.Which is why over the final five-plus weeks of the regular season, their single-most important undertaking will be to identify another pitcher who can close for them in October.This looks like a mess at first glance, the Dodgers’ three-peat ambitions possibly dependent on whether the free-agent flop of last year, Tanner Scott, can replace one of the free-agent flops of this year, Diaz. In reality, the Dodgers are in a better situation than last year, starting with the fact that Scott has pitched well enough this year to make himself a consideration.They also have a better idea of what they have in Roki Sasaki.Sasaki is their option with the most upside, and that would be the case even if Diaz was healthy.
The 24-year-old from Japan also has experience closing in the postseason. He did it last year.Sasaki ended up in the role almost by accident.His first season in the majors last year was shaping into a complete disaster.
The former teenage phenom was shut down with shoulder problems after making eight mediocre starts in which he looked nothing like the once-in-a-generation talent he was in his home country.Sidelined for four months, Sasaki was talked into pitching in relief in September.He agreed under the condition the Dodgers promised to move back into the starting rotation the following season.
Even then, they didn’t envision him as their closer.The Dodgers c...