NY Mets fans can't comprehend Dodgers getting away with Edwin Diaz injury

Edwin Diaz has been in the news for some... less than favorable reasons lately, but what's flown under the radar since he landed on the injured list following an elbow surgery is that the Los Angeles' Dodgers bullpen has been practically untouchable.

This 28-inning scoreless stretch comprises the Dodgers' games from May 13 to the start of their weekend series with the Milwaukee Brewers, during which time the team is 7-1 and has reclaimed their lead atop the NL West. They've gotten elite work from Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, and other high-leverage arms, thriving despite the absence of their well-compensated closer.

For what it's worth, in that same stretch, the New York Mets' bullpen has run a 2.53 ERA en route to a 6-3 record. Silver linings?

Mets were far better prepared for Edwin Diaz's absence in 2026

Mets fans will remember 2023, the same year that Diaz suffered a devastating injury in the World Baseball Classic that kept him from participating in the entire season. The bullpen struggled mightily without their All-Star stopper in the ninth inning, finishing 22nd in the league with a 4.45 ERA. Their entire relief corps amassed just 0.7 fWAR, which more than four times less than Diaz's contributions alone in 2022 (3.0 fWAR).

It's obviously a testament to the Dodgers' elite depth that they've been able to weather the storm without Diaz so effectively, but it's also true that he was horrendous in his limited appearances prior to getting injured, submitting a 10.50 ERA in six innings. Impressive though they may be, Diaz is currently burning a $69 million hole in their pocket.

And thankfully, it's not as though the Mets have been helpless without him this time around. Even though the Craig Kimbrel experiment failed, recent turnarounds from Devin Williams and Luke Weaver (plus sustained success from Huascar Brazobán and Brooks Raley) has significantly lifted overall product on the field. For what feels like the first time all year, leads are relatively safe in the late innings in Queens.

There's still an overall hole to dig out from -- the Mets are still just 22-28 through their first 50 games -- but the bullpen has become a rising tide that lifts all waves. Thanks in part to their recent dominance, New York's relief corps ranks in the top 10 this year in ERA (3.41), FIP (3.51), strikeout rate, and fWAR.

It's just a little extra frustrating that the Dodgers have been better in each of those metrics despite getting nothing from Diaz.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow