In a thrilling debut, Edwin Diaz took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 28, 2026, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, securing his first save in a nail-biting 5-4 victory.
Diaz’s entrance was electrified by a live performance from trumpeter Tatiana Tate, who played his signature song, enhancing the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium. “I was surprised a little bit. I heard a trumpet sounding before I was coming out. I said, ‘No way, they got a live trumpet.’ It was pretty fun,” Diaz remarked.
In his debut save appearance, Diaz struck out two batters and walked one, showcasing his skills after signing a lucrative three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers after opting out of his previous deal with the Mets.
Last season, Diaz converted 28 of 31 save opportunities with the Mets, accumulating a total of 144 saves during his time there. His performance is a significant boost for the Dodgers, who are the two-time defending World Series champions.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his initial doubts about signing Diaz, stating, “Afterwards, I told my wife, ‘We’re going to get him.'” This acquisition is seen as a pivotal move for the team’s continued success.
Diaz’s brother, Alexis, also a reliever, joined the Dodgers last May, adding a personal touch to the family dynamic within the team.
As the Dodgers unveiled their 2025 championship banner on Opening Day, the excitement surrounding Diaz’s debut added to the celebratory atmosphere. Teammate Miguel Rojas noted, “It’s really cool because it’s another way to keep the fans involved in the game until the ninth inning because they’re all going to be waiting for that.”
With the season ahead, Diaz expressed optimism about the team’s potential, stating, “I think this is a really good team. I think we’ve got a lot of good players here. I think if everyone stays healthy, this team has the chance to win, three-peat.”
