What Happened to Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy?

Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy, born on March 22, 1994, in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, began his professional baseball career after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Mariners in 2016 and quickly established himself as a dominant closer. His breakout season came in 2018, where he led MLB with 57 saves and earned his first American League Reliever of the Year award, solidifying his reputation as one of the game's elite bullpen arms.

In December 2018, Díaz was traded to the New York Mets. After a challenging 2019 season, he rebounded to become a cornerstone of the Mets' bullpen. His performance peaked in 2022, a season in which he earned All-MLB First Team honors and his second Reliever of the Year award (this time for the National League), boasting a remarkable 1.31 ERA and 32 saves. Following this stellar year, the Mets re-signed him to a then-record five-year, $102 million contract in November 2022, signaling their long-term commitment.

However, Díaz's career took an unexpected turn on March 15, 2023, during the World Baseball Classic. While celebrating Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic, he suffered a full-thickness tear of his patellar tendon in his right knee. This devastating injury required surgery and forced him to miss the entire 2023 MLB season, a significant blow to both Díaz and the Mets, who struggled without their star closer.

Díaz made his return to the mound in 2024, gradually regaining his form. Despite some initial struggles and a brief stint on the injured list for right shoulder impingement in May 2024, he finished the season strong. He carried that momentum into 2025, where he had a resurgent year, posting a 1.63 ERA, 28 saves, and 98 strikeouts over 66.1 innings, earning his third Reliever of the Year award and an All-Star selection.

Following his impressive 2025 campaign, Díaz opted out of the remaining two years and $38 million of his contract with the Mets in November 2025, seeking a new deal in free agency. This decision led to significant interest from multiple teams, and in December 2025, he signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal includes a $9 million signing bonus and deferred payments extending until 2047, with a conditional club option for 2029.

As of March 28, 2026, Edwin Díaz is set to be the Dodgers' closer, a role he has already been named for. He has been highly ranked among MLB's top relief pitchers for the 2026 season, securing the third spot on MLB Network's 'The Shredder' rankings. Furthermore, Díaz is participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, representing Puerto Rico, a testament to his full recovery and continued commitment to international play despite his past injury at the event.