Edwin Díaz's possible Dodgers return date feels like the ultimate troll job

Help is on the way for the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff, and it may have nothing to do with the 2026 trade deadline. Edwin Díaz started a minor-league rehab assignment with the Los Angeles Dodgers two weeks ago, and it's reached the point where Dave Roberts is mapping out his return.

While no official date has been set for Díaz to be reinstated from the IL, the Dodgers manager suggested it could happen as early as this weekend. In case you were wondering, the Dodgers travel to New York this weekend for a three-game set against the Mets, Díaz's former team.

Edwin Díaz's possible Dodgers return date feels like cruel timing for Mets

Setting aside what Díaz's return means for the Dodgers and what it could mean for the deadline, if he makes his return this weekend against the Mets, it would be the perfect troll. This season has bene disaster for the Mets, and they are headed toward a fire sale at the deadline. In a true twist of knife, Mets fans seeing Díaz not only healthy again but pitching for the Dodgers would just be chef's kiss.

Much of the Mets' misfortunes this season can be traced back to the decisions that were made this season. Decisions that included not matching the Dodgers' offer to Díaz.

Overall, Díaz's return, if it happens against the Mets, would mark somewhat of a full-circle moment. It was when the Dodgers were playing in the Mets in LA earlier this season that injury concerns began to surface for the All-Star closer.

If Díaz's rehab assignment is any indicator, he's ready. The 32-year-old has tossed four scoreless outings, giving up only one hit, and striking out seven of the 13 hitters he's faced. He hasn't pitched on back-to-back days, and it would be safe to say that the Dodgers follow that trend once he activated off the IL.

While it can be an outdated stereotype to suggest a return from injury is just as a good as a trade deadline addition, Díaz is the exception. Especially when the Dodgers may suddenly have a need at catcher and in the starting rotation after the respective injury updates for Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani. If nothing else, a healthy Díaz may lessen the urgency for the Dodgers to seek bullpen help at the deadline.

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This article was originally published on dodgersway.com as Edwin Díaz's possible Dodgers return date feels like the ultimate troll job.