The Los Angeles Dodgers paid Edwin Díaz to solve their ninth-inning problem. Roki Sasaki could become their emergency answer if he does not stabilize before October.
The New York Post identified Sasaki as Los Angeles’ postseason fallback after Díaz surrendered a walk-off two-run homer in Friday’s 4-3 loss, extending the losing streak to seven games.
The idea is a contingency, not an announced role change. Manager Dave Roberts said there is no clear alternative to Díaz right now, but Sasaki’s October history gives Los Angeles an option few clubs possess.
Edwin Díaz’s Return Creates Closer Concern
GettyEdwin Diaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a ninth inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Diamondbacks won 4-3. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Díaz entered Friday with a 3-2 lead, then walked Max Kepler before Ryan Waldschmidt drove a misplaced two-strike slider over the wall. Díaz recorded only one out and was charged with two earned runs.
The performance continued an alarming return from elbow surgery. Díaz has allowed four earned runs and two homers in three innings across four appearances since the Dodgers activated him from the 60-day injured list on July 29, according to MLB.com. Opponents have scored against him in three of those outings.
His numbers now include an 11.00 ERA and 2.44 WHIP over nine innings. Those results are jarring for a closer who signed a three-year, $69 million contract after producing a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves for the New York Mets in 2025.
Díaz said he must rediscover the feel for his slider, his primary strikeout weapon. Roberts has continued using him in save situations and indicated he wants relievers to retain the roles they earned. That makes Díaz the closer unless his struggles persist.
Roki Sasaki Already Passed the October Test
GettyRoki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a second inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Diamondbacks won 4-3. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Sasaki strengthened the alternative case hours before Díaz’s blown save. He held Arizona to two runs on four hits over six innings, striking out five and walking one. His fastball reached at least 99 mph 17 times, according to the Post.
The 24-year-old owns a 4.54 ERA across 20 starts, but he has a 2.40 ERA over his last five. Friday marked his third consecutive outing allowing two runs or fewer, and his 106 strikeouts now exceed his 105 innings.
More importantly, Sasaki has already handled the ninth inning under postseason pressure. The Dodgers shifted him from starter to reliever after a shoulder injury last year, and he recorded three saves while allowing one earned run across 10 2/3 postseason innings.
His arsenal also intensified in shorter appearances. MLB.com reported that Sasaki threw 46 pitches at 99 mph or faster after his September bullpen conversion, compared with eight during his earlier starts.
Los Angeles’ crowded October rotation could make another transition possible, especially with Tarik Skubal joining Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell while Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani work toward returns.
The Dodgers still need Díaz to regain his dominant form. If he does not, Sasaki offers something more valuable than speculation: a proven playoff escape route.
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