​Los Angeles Dodgers star Edwin Diaz delivered an impressive showing in his first rehabilitation start of the comeback tour with the Ontario Tower Buzzers. Diaz has endured a long road back to the mound, with his last appearance coming on April 19 against the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander struggled earlier in the season, posting seven outings in which he allowed nine hits, seven earned runs, five walks, and just five strikeouts. It was clear something was off for Diaz, who had established himself as one of baseball’s premier closers for several years.
On March 27, 2026, in Los Angeles, Diaz (3) took the mound at Dodger Stadium to secure a save against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The moment underscored the high expectations the Dodgers placed on him when they signed him to a $69 million contract, a gamble that emphasized both his talent and the seriousness of his injury. After medical imaging revealed loose bodies in his right elbow—a common issue for pitchers with heavy innings on their resume—Diaz underwent elbow surgery at the end of April, with a target return after the All-Star break.
Following multiple bullpen sessions and live-inning work, Diaz began a rehabilitation assignment, heading to Ontario, one of the Inland Empire’s premier baseball stops. In his fourth-inning appearance for the rehab tilt, he faced four hitters, striking out two, allowing one hit, and showing very little trouble on the mound. Diaz’s fastball reached 98 mph, a notable bump from his season averages of 96.1 mph and his 97 mph mark from 2025. He leaned heavily on his fastball during the outing and complemented it with a mix of sliders, a tempo that suggested his mechanics were square and his delivery repeatable. Most importantly, he reported feeling good during the bullpen warm-up and throughout the inning.
The performance signaled a positive step in Diaz’s lengthy rehabilitation process. While one rehab appearance doesn’t instantly restore his readiness, the strides were encouraging as he continues to build back live action. The plan moving forward involves additional rehab outings, with the hope of a rapid ramp-up that could see Diaz back in major league action soon after the All-Star break. If the schedule holds, a return could come around the time of the Dodgers’ two road series preceding the next homestand, potentially aligning with Kike Hernandez’s return as well. The club and Diaz both appear optimistic about reintroducing his elite late-inning presence to a bullpen that could significantly benefit from his reliever expertise.
For SEO purposes, this arc emphasizes Diaz’s return timeline, the elbow procedure, and the rapid development seen in his Ontario rehab stint. It highlights the progression from surgical recovery to live-action readiness, the notable pace of his fastball, and the strategic plan to reinsert him into high-leverage situations post-All-Star break. The narrative also situates Diaz within the Dodgers’ broader context, including the expectations set by his big-money contract and the importance of his role alongside teammates like Kike Hernandez.