Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on July 28, 2026 that Edwin Diaz's return as closer stabilizes the bullpen by freeing other relievers into different leverage roles. "I think it just kind of frees other guys up to take on other uh responsibilities, different leverage roles," Roberts said during a press conference.
Roberts added that having Diaz back at the back end of the bullpen makes the team better immediately, noting, "we just got a lot better today." He attributed Diaz's prior struggles before going on the injured list to bone chips that affected his extension and feel, describing the removed fragments as looking "like shark teeth." Roberts noted that he expects Diaz's velocity to take care of itself and said he is instead focused on Diaz's command and slider shape.
Roberts also mentioned that Diaz told him he hasn't felt this good in quite some time after having the bone chips removed. He observed that Diaz is not a big complainer, which made it harder to realize how much the bone chips were affecting him.
On the pitching staff, Roberts explained that Tyler Glasnow will likely go on a rehab assignment and build up from there after throwing two innings in his outing. He also said Blake threw one inning and that the next outing is a big night for Blake to try to get through four innings. Roberts acknowledged he was in meetings and did not personally watch Glasnow and the other pitcher work, relying instead on reports from the pitching staff.
Addressing the lineup, Roberts said he moved Mookie Betts down to sixth, a decision tied to Tommy Edman's switch-hitting ability. Roberts explained that keeping Andy Pages atop the order remains good experience for his development in the regular season, though he mentioned Edman could be an alternative at the top of the order. The bullpen changes and lineup adjustments both stem from Roberts' evaluation of matchups and player development heading into the coming games.