Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz was reinstated to the team’s active roster on Wednesday, approximately three months after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. His return is expected to strengthen a bullpen that has struggled in recent weeks.

The 32-year-old right-hander, who signed with the Dodgers this offseason on a $69 million contract, had a difficult start to the 2026 season, recording a 10.50 ERA over seven appearances before his elbow issues were officially diagnosed. Díaz initially experienced knee discomfort, but elbow pain during an April 19 outing against the Colorado Rockies sent him for medical evaluation, leading to the discovery of loose bodies in his elbow joint.

“I want to help this team to win,” Díaz said following his activation. “I’ve been on the sideline for a long time. Just can’t wait to get back.” He acknowledged the ups and downs during his limited appearance this season, citing battles with soreness that hindered his performance.

Díaz’s absence has affected the Dodgers’ bullpen stability. After the team’s bullpen set a franchise-record 38-inning scoreless streak that ended on May 25, the unit’s ERA has risen to 4.98, ranking as the eighth-worst in Major League Baseball during that stretch. Left-hander Tanner Scott has assumed a de facto closer role in Díaz’s absence, successfully converting 16 of 18 save opportunities, but the team has faced challenges in maintaining consistent middle relief, especially with mixed results from pitchers such as Will Klein, Jack Dreyer, and Evan Phillips, who recently returned from Tommy John surgery.

These bullpen difficulties have prompted speculation that the Dodgers may seek reinforcements ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. However, Díaz’s return represents a significant boost to the team’s late-inning options and could alleviate some of the pressure on the bullpen depth.

Before this season, Díaz was regarded as one of the premier closers in the game, earning three All-Star selections and two Reliever of the Year awards, compiling 257 career saves and maintaining a 2.91 ERA over 10 major league seasons. The Dodgers will be looking for Díaz to return to that level of performance as they pursue their postseason ambitions.