Los Angeles Dodgers’ Edwin Díaz has been recognised as one of the top relief pitchers in Major League Baseball. The right-hander features in the MLB Top-10 Relief Pitchers Right Now list as the teams look ahead to the 2026 season.
Díaz Lands Third Spot in ‘The Shredder’ Rankings
Díaz was ranked third by MLB Network’s ‘The Shredder’. This is his first time on the list since 2024, when he was ranked sixth among relievers. MLB Network host Brian Kenny placed Díaz fifth in his personal rankings, while analyst Mike Petriello has him at number four.
Ahead of Díaz in the rankings is Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox, who claimed the top spot. Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres is ranked second. Following Díaz are Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians, Andrés Muñoz of the Seattle Mariners, Garrett Whitlock of the Red Sox, Matt Strahm of the Kansas City Royals, Adrian Morejon of the Padres, Josh Hader of the Houston Astros and Jason Adam of the Padres.
The Metrics Behind the Rankings
The Shredder considers several factors when compiling its positional rankings. These include past performance, advanced stats, traditional numbers, and analysis from the MLB Network research team.
The Dodgers last had a representative in The Shredder’s top-10 rankings for relief pitchers in 2024, when Evan Phillips placed fourth. Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates were included in last year’s rankings before they signed with the Dodgers, while Blake Treinen narrowly missed out.
Dodgers Invest in Díaz as Closer
The Dodgers signed Díaz to a three-year contract worth $69 million. The deal includes over $13 million in deferrals and a $9 million signing bonus. His average annual value of $23 million is the highest for a relief pitcher in MLB history.
Díaz is coming off a dominant 2025 season with the New York Mets. He recorded 28 saves with a 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. He also earned his third All-Star Game selection and was voted the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year for a second time.
Díaz is now set to become the Dodgers’ first dedicated closer since Kenley Jansen in 2021, a role he embraces. He sees pitching in the ninth as a big responsibility because the ball is in your hand for the last three outs of the game.
“Pitching in the ninth is a big responsibility because the ball is in your hand for the last three outs of the game,” Díaz said during his introductory press conference with the Dodgers.
“I think they are the toughest three outs of a game. Personally, I take it nice and easy. As the last guy, I always go batter-by-batter, pitch-by-pitch. I don’t think much about completing the inning, because a lot of things can happen in one inning.
“So personally, I like to take it easy and make pitches. At the end of the day, if I get my job done, the team will be in a good position. If I don’t get my job done, we are in trouble. So every time I have the chance to pitch, I always think I will win. That’s how I take it.
“If I don’t have a good result that night, I flush it right away and the next day I come ready to go again. That’s how I think I’ve been able to perform. Whatever happens on the mound that day, even if it’s good, or
Díaz will be looking to continue his form with the Dodgers and justify his high ranking as the 2026 season approaches.