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Dodgers manager critical of struggling closer Díaz, seeks other options

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Los Angeles Dodgers star closer Edwin Díaz faltered again, allowing the team to be overtaken in a recent game.
  • Díaz has struggled in his last four appearances, failing to secure the save in three of them.
  • Manager Dave Roberts expressed frustration and indicated a need to find alternative options for closing games.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not mince words regarding the struggles of star closer Edwin Díaz, who once again faltered in a crucial moment, contributing to the team's recent loss. Díaz, whose contract is worth $69 million, allowed the opposing team to tie the game in his latest outing, marking his third blown save in the last four appearances.

I don't know how long you can keep using 'rustiness' as an excuse, and I've been saying that myself.

— Dave RobertsDodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his growing impatience with Edwin Díaz's performance issues.

In the recent game, Díaz pitched just 0.2 innings, giving up three runs and ultimately taking the loss. This performance marks his fourth save failure of the season. The team's bullpen, in general, was described by Roberts as "not sharp enough," leading to a "frustrating and aggravating" defeat.

He has his issues to deal with, and this game was tough and important. But he has to find a way to get himself back, and we have to give him some space and time to find his rhythm.

— Dave RobertsRoberts acknowledged Díaz's need for time to recover his form but stressed the urgency of the situation.

When asked about Díaz's continued role as the ninth-inning closer, Roberts was candid about the team's predicament. "Give me another option," Roberts stated, acknowledging the lack of other consistently performing relievers. He emphasized that he cannot simply move Díaz to lower-leverage situations without viable alternatives, adding, "Honestly, nobody has been throwing particularly well lately."

Give me another option, I can't just move him to lower leverage situations, I have to have other options, and honestly, nobody has been throwing particularly well lately.

— Dave RobertsRoberts stated the difficulty in replacing Díaz as closer due to a lack of other reliable options in the bullpen.

Roberts also addressed the possibility of employing a committee approach to closing games. However, he indicated that this would only be feasible once other pitchers in the bullpen regain their form. For now, the Dodgers are grappling with how to manage their high-priced closer's performance and find stability in the bullpen during critical late-game situations.

We have to get other guys going before we can seriously talk about that.

— Dave RobertsRoberts commented on the possibility of a closer-by-committee approach, linking it to the performance of other bullpen pitchers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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