Who do Dodgers turn to next after placing Edwin Diaz on IL?

April 20, 2026 No Comments

Fantasy baseball news: Edwin Diaz placed on IL; Who do Dodgers turn to next?Edwin Diaz heads to the IL after posting a 10.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP in his first seven appearances with the Dodgers. Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesESPN FantasyApr 20, 2026, 06:34 PM ETClose

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Everything that happens in and around MLB has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy baseball perspective. From lineup changes to minor league call-ups to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy baseball.

Our fantasy baseball buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around MLB.

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April 20: Edwin Diaz (elbow) heads to the IL

By Tristan H. Cockcroft

There’s seemingly an explanation for Diaz’s diminished fastball velocity, as well as his back-to-back poor performances, as the Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled Monday that they’ve placed their $69 million closer on the 15-day injured list due to loose bodies in his right elbow. It raises huge red flags for fantasy managers, as Diaz’s fastball has averaged only 95.7 mph so far this season, down from 97.2 in 2025, and he wasn’t getting nearly as many whiffs as he had in the past.

It’s unclear whether this is the type of injury that will require surgical intervention, but keep in mind that pitchers Hunter Greene and Hurston Waldrep and first baseman Pavin Smith have all undergone surgeries this season to remove loose bodies, and all are expected to miss months rather than weeks. Diaz’s managers can only hope that he can heal without going the surgery route, and perhaps return in what’ll likely still be lengthier than a minimum 15-day IL stint.

That opens up a golden opportunity for saves among the Dodgers’ bullpen, though manager Dave Roberts has never been afraid to go with a committee approach to closing games. Lefties Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia, both of whom rank among the top 55 relief pitchers in fantasy points scored while largely working in setup roles thus far, are the most logical choices to get the ball initially. Both are well worth adding, even in standard ESPN leagues, on the chance that either could singularly emerge as the team’s closer, in what could be a lengthier than expected stay in the role.

Scott would be my choice, based upon his past experience. Though his 2025 Dodgers debut year might be remembered unfavorably by most, he was more effective in the singular role during the season’s first three months than it seemed, as he saved 18 games, had a 28.2% strikeout rate and was tied for third among relief pitchers in fantasy points at the conclusion of June. Scott’s control thus far has been excellent, as he has issued no walks and has 70% first pitch strike and 60% zone rates.

That reported, fantasy managers should be swift to pivot as needed, as Vesia isn’t any less deserving of his own chance, and the team could consider giving chances to Blake Treinen or Jack Dreyer. Remember, the Dodgers, even without Diaz, are projected for as many wins as any team in baseball, maximizing the bullpen’s chances for saves and holds.

April 20: Mick Abel lands on the IL

Mick Abel began the season slowly, but appeared to be on the right track prior to Monday’s news. APBy Tristan H. CockcroftThe Monday transaction snafu strikes again as, 49 minutes after the first pitch of the week, thrown in the Detroit Tigers-Boston Red Sox Patriots’ Day game, the Minnesota Twins unveiled that they have placed Abel, who was coming off back-to-back scoreless starts, on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation. The unexpected twist takes one of the most intriguing two-start pitching values for the coming week out of that equation and casts future doubt upon the right-hander’s value, as we’ll now need to evaluate both how swiftly he heals and whether the injury has any lingering effects following his activation.

The Twins moved up Simeon Woods Richardson, a much less interesting two-start candidate due to his more pitch-to-contact repertoire, to start Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets at Citi Field, and he’ll now align for Abel’s original two starts, with the second turn against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Connor Prielipp, a left-hander on the taxi squad to begin the week, could fill in the now-open rotation spot on Wednesday against the Mets. Kendry Rojas is another alternative, though neither is worth a pickup in ESPN or even 12-team mixed leagues.

If your league affords you the ability to pivot from Abel as a two-start option, here are three pitchers I’d recommend in his stead:

Spencer Arrighetti, Houston Astros (@CLE, NYY): Examined more closely in my Monday pickups column, Arrighetti has a plus-curveball which he used brilliantly in his 2026 debut against the Colorado Rockies.

Connelly Early, Red Sox (NYY, @BAL): He’s a strikeout-oriented prospect and these are both strikeout-prone offenses, meaning that despite the run-scoring worry with each matchup, he has appealing two-start upside.

Foster Griffin, Washington Nationals (ATL, @CWS): A Chicago White Sox matchup makes most any average-to-above starter a streaming standout, but Griffin is also off to a solid start, with double-digit fantasy points in three of his four outings.

April 20: Monday morning’s news to know

Kyle Stowers made his 2026 debut on Sunday after being sidelined with a hamstring strain. AP Photo/Rebecca BlackwellBy Todd ZolaRemember, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. I mean literally, as it’s Marathon Day in Boston, which means the annual Patriots’ Day game gets underway at 11:10 a.m. ET when the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers play the finale of their wraparound four-game series. Nine more games comprise the evening slate.

Not only did Kyle Stowers make his 2026 debut for the Miami Marlins yesterday, but 3B Graham Pauley also returned to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game due to his having tweaked his oblique on Friday. Pauley is the club’s best defender at the hot corner but is batting just .174/.191/.304. The Marlins have indicated that they could use Stowers at first base, which would free up Connor Norby to play third. However, one reason to do this would be to get Heriberto Hernandez’s bat back in the lineup (although his current .137/.267/.176 line is even worse than Pauley’s). The plan was for Christopher Morel to be the team’s regular first baseman, but he was scratched prior to the opener and has been on the IL ever since due to a strained left oblique. He’s set to begin a rehab assignment this week.
Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias recorded last night’s save but needed 21 pitches to get the job done. He was unavailable on Saturday after waking up with a sore shoulder. While the injury isn’t serious, since his pitch count was extended yesterday, Iglesias may not be available for tonight’s road affair with the Washington Nationals. The tricky thing is that Robert Suarez threw 14 pitches in both weekend games, notching a save on Saturday. If Iglesias and Suarez are unavailable, Tyler Kinley and Aaron Bummer are the most rested setup men.
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed 1B Freddie Freeman on the paternity list yesterday. Ryan Ward was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City and played first base. He should continue to fill in until Freeman rejoins the club, likely during the series with the San Francisco Giants that begins on Tuesday. The Dodgers wrap up their road set with the Colorado Rockies tonight.
Daulton Varsho missed his second straight game yesterday as he’s experiencing a sore left knee. The lefty bat is listed as day-to-day, but with the Toronto Blue Jays in Anaheim to face southpaw Reid Detmers and the Los Angeles Angels, Varsho may sit out another day even if he’s better. The Angels enjoyed a lineup boost yesterday with Jorge Soler‘s return from his four-game suspension. He’s back in his usual cleanup spot, pushing Jo Adell to the six-hole and Oswald Peraza to the bench.

Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Monday.

April 19: Sunday morning’s news to know

By Todd Zola

Below-average temperatures are the theme of today’s 15-game slate, with runs likely at a premium in most contests, beginning with the Washington Nationals hosting the San Francisco Giants at 1:35 p.m. ET. The forecast is for cool temperatures, with the wind blowing in.

Today’s game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers originally scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET has been moved to 4:35 p.m. ET. Rain is expected around Fenway Park in the morning and early afternoon. This is the third game of a four-game wraparound series, with tomorrow’s tilt being the annual Patriots’ Day game scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET.
The New York Mets finally placed Jorge Polanco on the 10-day IL due to a bruised right wrist. He has also been nursing Achilles bursitis, so the club decided to shut down the veteran to let him heal.
J.T. Realmuto left Saturday night’s game in the sixth inning after worsening a back injury he initially suffered Friday night. He’s slated for further evaluation today and is questionable for tonight’s slate-ending contest when the Philadelphia Phillies host the Atlanta Braves. Before yesterday’s game, the Phillies placed closer Jhoan Duran on the 15-day IL with a strained left oblique. Brad Keller and Jose Alvarado are the top options for ninth-inning duties.
The Braves hope that closer Raisel Iglesias will be available after he missed yesterday’s game with a sore shoulder. Iglesias stated waking up with the issue after sleeping on his shoulder. Robert Suarez filled in and collected his first save.