Overview
- Díaz surrendered a walk‑off two‑run homer to Ryan Waldschmidt on a hung slider in Friday’s ninth inning, turning a 4-3 lead into a loss and stretching the Dodgers’ losing streak to seven games.
- After the game Díaz said his fastball felt good but he “missed the slider right in the middle,” calling the pitch his primary strikeout weapon and saying he must fix it.
- Since being activated from the injured list on July 29 he has struggled in four appearances, allowing five runs in 3.0 innings with six hits, two walks and two home runs.
- Manager Dave Roberts agreed the fastball has shown life but said the slider has lacked effectiveness since Díaz returned, leaving the staff to work on command and feel for the pitch.
- The immediate concern for the Dodgers is bullpen stability and whether Díaz can reclaim a reliable closer role for the stretch run, with the team watching his slider command as the key factor that will shape short‑term roster and postseason plans.