Kyle Tucker, Edwin Diaz Give Dodgers Hope After Disappointing Debut Seasons

The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a devastating sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, marking an unfortunate end to their season. However, two remarkable comeback stories emerged during the latter part of the 2026 MLB Playoffs. The two biggest offseason signings for the Dodgers, Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker, faced high expectations as they arrived with hefty contracts. Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million deal, while Diaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract.

Despite the Dodgers' disappointing start, both players managed to turn their fortunes around in the final month of the season. Tucker, known for his batting prowess, showcased a stellar performance in September, leading the team in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS. Diaz, on the other hand, emerged as a valuable closer, earning two saves in the National League Division Series (NLDS) and pitching impressively in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

Edwin Diaz's regular season was marred by a 8.68 ERA and only 21 games due to injuries, including elbow surgery and neck inflammation. His performance was far from satisfactory, with hanging sliders and fastballs that led to hard contact. Meanwhile, Kyle Tucker, who was initially expected to add a young bat to the aging core, struggled with inconsistency, posting a .233/.330/.385 batting line and a .715 OPS, below league average for a player of his caliber.

However, as the season progressed, both players showed significant improvement. Tucker returned from the injured list in mid-September and demonstrated a remarkable turnaround, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out nine in five appearances. Diaz also found redemption, earning two saves in the NLDS and delivering a strong performance in the NLCS, despite the Dodgers' eventual loss.