Your closer goes on the injured list, and your closer goes on the injured list, and now the Dodgers have joined the list:
Based on recent performance and the focus on his reduced velocity this season, this news should not be a surprise. Figuring out the timeline for a potential return becomes the trickier part. Edwin Díaz will be out for two-to-three months:
As for his replacement(s), it may take a village since Dave Roberts likes deploying his relievers by lineup lanes without a closer. However, Tanner Scott was paid to be one last year, and he’s been pitching very well. Through 10 appearances, he owns a 0.58 WHIP with eight strikeouts against zero walks (26.7 K-BB%) across 8.2 innings with four holds. Entering game play tonight, he’s second in Win Probability Added for the team:
Alex Vesia will also be in the mix for those in deeper formats or streaming for saves out of desperation. He’s not regarded highly enough by the fantasy community. He’s posted a 0.58 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus three walks (22.6 K-BB%) across 8.2 innings.
Perhaps the bigger question will be who operates as the right-handed complement. Blake Treinen had a rough outing in Coors on Sunday and has been trending in the wrong direction. Was this a one-off outing or an injured-list stint waiting to happen? Keep tabs on Edgardo Henriquez and Kyle Hurt; their leverage roles may grow with Díaz sidelined.
Like the Phillies, I will list them as Scott 1A, Vesia 1B, and whichever right-handed reliever emerges as 1C.
This year will not cease the chaos, but I am resilient.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee