The team announced Monday that they placed the pitcher on the injured list, citing “loose bodies” in his right elbow. (“Loose bodies” refers to pieces of bone or cartilage that have broken off and are floating freely in the joint.)
Advertisement
Diaz will undergo surgery to clean out the joint and is expected to return in the second half of the season, according to the team. In turn, Los Angeles is calling up Jake Eder, an offseason acquisition from the Washington Nationals.
Diaz signed a record three-year, $69 million contract to join the Dodgers this offseason after spending six seasons with the New York Mets. So far this season, Diaz has made seven appearances for Los Angeles and has earned four saves.However, his most recent appearance was his worst: In a 9-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, Diaz entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but allowed two runs. He was then relieved by Kyle Hurt and finished the outing with three earned runs without recording an out.
Advertisement
It’s unclear if his injury contributed to Sunday’s appearance. The 32-year-old will now be out for approximately the next three months, and the Dodgers expect him to return after the All-Star break in July.