Edwin Díaz has been on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ injured list since April 20 due to loose bodies in his right elbow that required surgery to have them removed.
The right-hander has made steady progress in the recovery and managed to complete his first bullpen session on Friday.
“Edwin threw 15 pitches, it was 91 to 93 (mph), so really good. Mark (Prior) was encouraged. All fastballs, but really positive day for Edwin,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
It was Díaz’s first time back on the mound since he had surgery on his right elbow in April.
The Dodgers do not have a specific return date in mind, only a general target for the second half of the season. Earlier this week, Roberts did not fully rule out activating Díaz before the All-Star break, but said it was still a stretch.
There was a similar message on Friday. The Dodgers are in no rush to activate Díaz, but the path ahead of him is relatively short and straightforward.
“I don’t think it’s going to be too aggressive, but I hope that we just keep moving forward,” Roberts began. “Throwing a handful of bullpens and face some live hitters, then three to five (games) on a rehab assignment, and then you’re back. Given that it’s a one-inning stint it shouldn’t be too long of a buildup.
“Edwin feels great. The bullpen went well. So those are all good signs.”
The Dodgers bullpen has held its own this season, but a rough first two weeks of June showed why the team needs Díaz back to be at its best.
There is some additional good news on the relief pitcher front, with Brock Stewart and Evan Phillips nearing a return as well. Stewart is the closest of the two, with Phillips still multiple weeks away.
The former was placed back on the IL in May, but he began a rehab assignment on June 12. The latter hasn’t pitched all season as he recovers from the Tommy John surgery that ended his 2025 season. He has been on assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City since June 4.
Will Smith gets cortisone injection
The Dodgers initially expected Will Smith to miss just one game upon getting scratched from the lineup on June 6 because of neck stiffness, but he is now two weeks into an absence.
There was also initial optimism that Smith would avoid going on the 10-day injured list, which changed on June 11. Smith’s IL stint was backdated to June 8, thus making Friday the first day he was eligible to return. It was suggested the 31-year-old would return once he could be activated.
But Roberts ruled out that possibility earlier in the week, and now Smith is going to be administered a cortisone injection because of the lingering discomfort.
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