Edwin Díaz

Edwin Díaz Bio

Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher who currently serves as the closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. The Naguabo, Puerto Rico native has established himself as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball, amassing 257 career saves across eleven major league seasons. Díaz previously played for the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets before signing with the Dodgers in December 2025. Known for his overpowering fastball that consistently reaches the high 90s, he has earned multiple All-Star selections and Reliever of the Year honors in both the American League and National League.

Early Life and Background

Edwin Díaz grew up in the Daguao barrio of Naguabo, Puerto Rico. He began playing baseball around age seven, primarily as a center fielder. During his youth in Puerto Rico, Díaz played as an outfielder alongside future Major League Baseball players Carlos Correa and José Berríos. At the insistence of his father, he reluctantly tried pitching as a teenager, marking the beginning of his transition from position player to the mound.

Díaz attended Caguas Military Academy in Caguas, Puerto Rico, where he developed his skills as a pitcher. His electric arm drew attention from scouts, and he was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 2012 MLB Draft with the 98th overall pick. He graduated from Caguas Military Academy and began his professional baseball career shortly after being drafted.

Path to Major League Baseball

Díaz signed with the Mariners and made his professional debut that same season with the AZL Mariners. He played in nine games, compiling a 2-1 record with a 5.21 earned run average and 20 strikeouts over 19 innings. In 2013, he pitched for the Pulaski Mariners and went 5-2 with a remarkable 1.43 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 69 innings. Prior to the 2014 season, Baseball America named him the Mariners’ fifth-best prospect.

He spent 2014 with the Clinton LumberKings and was co-selected as the organization’s minor league starting pitcher of the year. Díaz continued his ascent through the minor leagues with Bakersfield Blaze and Jackson Generals in 2015, earning minor league Starting Pitcher of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. He began 2016 with Jackson as a starting pitcher but was moved to the bullpen after six starts, a decision that would define his career trajectory.

Edwin Díaz Career

Seattle Mariners Era (2016–2018)

Díaz was called up to the majors on June 4, 2016, and made his MLB debut two days later against the Cleveland Indians. In his debut game, he retired all three batters he faced and recorded his first MLB strikeout against Tyler Naquin. Between June 28 and July 3, he recorded ten consecutive outs via strikeout, tying a franchise record set in 1997. On July 6, Díaz broke that record with his 11th consecutive out via strikeout.

On August 1, 2016, Díaz replaced Steve Cishek as the Mariners’ closer. He recorded his first career save the following day in a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox, striking out the side. By reaching his 50th strikeout in only 25 and one-third innings, he became the first pitcher to do so in at least 123 years. He finished his rookie season with a 6-3 record, 1.63 ERA, 98 strikeouts, and 28 saves in 66 and one-third innings over 62 games. He finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

All-Star Breakthrough (2017–2018)

In 2017, Díaz appeared in 66 games with a 4-6 record, 3.27 ERA, and 89 strikeouts in 66 innings, converting 34 of 39 save opportunities. He was named to his first All-Star Game that season and became the holder of the Seattle Mariners club record for saves before the All-Star break with 36 saves, breaking Kazuhiro Sasaki’s previous record of 29 set in 2001. In the All-Star Game, he was the winning pitcher despite recording a blown save. He received AL Reliever of the Month honors for April, June, and July.

On August 10, 2017, Díaz recorded his 44th save, breaking the record for most saves by a Puerto Rican player, previously held by Roberto Hernández with 43. He finished the season with 57 saves, leading all of Major League Baseball, and was awarded the AL Reliever of the Year award. His 57 saves tied Bobby Thigpen for second-most in an MLB season. On December 3, 2018, the Mariners traded Díaz along with Robinson Canó and $20 million to the New York Mets for Jay Bruce, Jarred Kelenic, and others.

New York Mets Tenure (2019–2025)

Díaz recorded his first save as a Met on Opening Day against the Washington Nationals in 2019. However, the first half of the season proved challenging as he struggled with his command and saw his ERA climb significantly. He finished 2019 with 26 saves and a 5.59 ERA. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Díaz converted six of ten save opportunities with a 1.75 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 25 and two-thirds innings. He improved in 2021, appearing in 63 games with 32 saves, an 89-strikeout performance, and a 3.45 ERA.

The 2022 season marked a resurgence for Díaz. On April 29, 2022, he pitched in relief in a combined no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. On July 10, he was named an All-Star for the second time in his career. He closed out the ninth inning of a 1-0 win over Philadelphia on August 13 to earn his 200th career save, becoming the sixth active player to reach that milestone. He finished the season with 32 saves, 118 strikeouts, and a career-best 1.31 ERA. On November 9, he signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets, the most valuable contract ever signed by a relief pitcher at that time.

On March 15, 2023, Díaz suffered a serious injury to his right knee during a celebration after striking out the side against the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He underwent surgery to repair a full-thickness tear of his patellar tendon and missed the entire 2023 MLB season. He returned in 2024, recording his 100th save for the Mets on April 15. He finished the 2024 season with 20 saves and helped the Mets clinch their 11th playoff berth, recording his first postseason win and save during their postseason run.

The 2025 season showcased Díaz’s dominance once again. He had a stretch in May where batters went 0-for-30 against him. He recorded 5 saves and pitched 11 and one-third scoreless innings that month, allowing only three hits. On July 6, he was named to the All-Star Game for the third time in his career. He recorded his 250th save on September 1 against the Detroit Tigers. Díaz finished 2025 with a 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 28 saves. He was named NL Reliever of the Year for the second straight season and made the All-MLB Second Team. After the season, he opted out of his contract with the Mets and became a free agent.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2026–Present)

On December 12, 2025, Díaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. On March 27, 2026, he earned his first save with the Dodgers against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He began his Dodgers tenure with a 10.50 ERA over his first seven appearances and was placed on the injured list on April 20 due to loose bodies in his right elbow. Through April 19, 2026, Díaz has a career record of 29 wins and 36 losses with a 2.91 ERA, 849 strikeouts, and 257 saves.

Driving Style and Strengths

Díaz employs a sidearm delivery and features three pitches: a hard four-seam fastball that has averaged 97.7 miles per hour throughout his career, a slider at approximately 89.4 miles per hour, and a rarely-used changeup. His fastball comprises about 60 percent of his pitch arsenal, while his slider makes up roughly 40 percent. He has been one of baseball’s most prolific strikeout pitchers, averaging 14.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, one of the highest rates for a reliever in major league history.

Notable Events and Milestones

Díaz served as the closer for the Puerto Rican national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he won a silver medal. He recorded two saves during the tournament, against the Dominican Republic and the United States in the second round. In the semifinal against the Netherlands, he earned the win as Puerto Rico scored in the bottom of the 11th inning for a 4-3 victory. During the 2023 WBC, he suffered the knee injury that ended his participation in the tournament. He also pitched for Puerto Rico in the 2026 WBC, allowing no runs and earning one save.

Among his notable career moments are his 2018 record-setting 57 saves, his role in the combined no-hitter on April 29, 2022, and his 200th career save in August 2022. He achieved his 250th career save on September 1, 2025. His signature walk-up song is “Narco” by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet.

Edwin Díaz Career Wins

Across his major league career spanning the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers, Díaz has established himself as one of the premier closers in baseball. Through April 19, 2026, he has recorded 257 career saves and 849 strikeouts with a 2.91 earned run average. He has been named an All-Star three times and won Reliever of the Year honors three times, twice in the American League and once in the National League.

Seattle Mariners Highlights

Díaz’s time with the Mariners from 2016 to 2018 served as his breakout period. He recorded 87 saves across three seasons with Seattle, including a franchise-record 57 saves in 2018 that led all of Major League Baseball. That 2018 season earned him his first All-Star selection and first AL Reliever of the Year award. His 57 saves that year tied Bobby Thigpen for the second-most in a single MLB season at that time. He set Mariners franchise records for consecutive outs recorded via strikeout with 11 and became the fastest pitcher to reach 50 strikeouts in a specified number of innings in over 120 years.

New York Mets Highlights

With the Mets from 2019 to 2025, Díaz recorded 229 saves across parts of seven seasons. His most dominant season came in 2022, when he posted a 1.31 ERA with 32 saves and 118 strikeouts, earning him his second All-Star selection and first NL Reliever of the Year award. He signed a five-year, $102 million contract in November 2022, the most valuable deal for a relief pitcher at the time. In 2025, he recorded 28 saves with a 1.63 ERA and earned his third All-Star selection and second consecutive NL Reliever of the Year award. He achieved his 200th career save on August 13, 2022, and his 250th career save on September 1, 2025.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond his regular season success, Díaz has excelled in postseason play. In the 2024 playoffs with the Mets, he recorded his first postseason win in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. He then recorded his first postseason save in Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, helping the Mets advance to the NL Championship Series. Across six postseason games, he recorded one win, two saves, 13 strikeouts, and a 3.12 ERA.

Edwin Díaz Family

Family Background and Baseball Lineage

Díaz comes from a baseball family with deep roots in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, where he continues to spend time during the offseason. He has organized baseball clinics for children in his hometown through the Edwin Díaz Baseball Academy. Notable MLB players Robinson Canó and Martín Maldonado have attended these community events. Díaz’s baseball legacy continues through his younger brother, Alexis Díaz, who is also a professional pitcher. Alexis Díaz plays for the Texas Rangers in Major League Baseball.

Personal Life

In the offseason, Díaz returns to his native Daguao in the Naguabo Municipality in Puerto Rico, where most of his family resides. His nickname “Sugar” was given to him by teammates in school who believed he resembled the fictional star pitcher Miguel “Sugar” Santos from the 2008 film “Sugar.” The nickname has remained with him throughout his professional career and is commonly used by fans and media covering the sport. His brother Alexis also reached the major leagues, and their simultaneous success has drawn attention to their family legacy in baseball. On May 17, 2022, Alexis recorded his first MLB save, making the Díaz brothers the third set of brothers to both earn an MLB save on the same day.

2026 Season Performance

Díaz entered the 2026 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers following his December 2025 signing. He recorded his first save with the team on March 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a positive start to his Dodgers career. However, his early-season performance showed significant struggles as he posted a 10.50 earned run average over his first seven appearances. On April 20, 2026, the Dodgers placed Díaz on the injured list due to loose bodies in his right elbow, interrupting his first season with the team. The injury marked an unexpected early challenge in what was expected to be a significant addition to the Dodgers’ bullpen.

The 2026 campaign marks Díaz’s eleventh major league season. Prior to joining the Dodgers, he had established himself as one of baseball’s most dominant closers with 252 career saves at the time of his signing and a career earned run average under 3.00. His 2025 season with the Mets had been exceptional, featuring a 1.63 ERA and 0.87 WHIP alongside 28 saves in 62 appearances. He earned his third All-Star selection and second consecutive NL Reliever of the Year honor that season. The Dodgers committed $69 million over three years to acquire him as their primary ninth-inning option.

Díaz continues his recovery and works toward returning to the form that made him one of baseball’s elite relievers. With his combination of a mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider, he possesses the raw stuff to regain his status as one of the game’s most feared closers once healthy. His career strikeout rate of 14.5 per nine innings ranks among the best for relievers in baseball history. At 32 years old, Díaz remains in the prime of his career and focused on contributing to the Dodgers’ pursuit of a championship. His relationship with Dodgers fans and the organization continues to develop as he works through his early-season challenges.