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Dodgers Notes: LA Clinches First-Round Bye, Dalton Rushing Returning, Edwin Diaz Postseason Closer?

Catch up on all the latest Dodgers news and notes.
Gabe Smallson|
Sep 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (3) reacts after the final out of the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (3) reacts after the final out of the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the San Diego Padres, 4-2, on Thursday evening and fell to 97-62 on the year.

Tyler Glasnow struck out 11 batters and allowed three earned runs off of three hits across 6.2 innings. Offensively, Mookie Betts scored on a balk in the eighth to cap off a three-hit night while Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman each secured two hits apiece.

Despite the loss, the Dodgers have officially clinched a first-round bye and will forgo the wild-card round. Their postseason officially begins in the NLDS thanks to a loss by the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

In other news, catcher Dalton Rushing has some positive health news after heading back to the injured list with a partially torn UCL in his elbow. Manager Dave Roberts revealed when fans can expect to see the backstop activated from the IL.

Finally, Roberts spoke on the prospect of right-hander Edwin Díaz being trusted as the closer in the postseason.

“In a perfect world, as we all know the world’s not perfect, I would love [a set closer],” Roberts said. “I think if there’s an opportunity, for example, for Tanner [Scott] to pitch a high-leverage inning in the seventh or the eighth inning, it’s just hard to pass that up if he’s the best option right there. Because you just don’t know where the ninth inning is going to be."

As for the improvement he has seen from Díaz — zeo earned runs and eight strikeouts in his four outings since returning from the injured list — it appears to come from a confidence not seen in quite some time.

“I think he’s in as good a spot as he’s been in all year, mentally, physically. The ball is coming out well,” Roberts said. “Yeah, I think that swagger is starting to come back, and I like the way that the energy that he’s exuding, it’s real. It’s something for us to build on.”

Here’s all the latest Dodgers news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Dave Roberts Announces Dalton Rushing News Ahead of Dodgers vs Padres Series Finale

Dodgers Considering Edwin Diaz for Postseason Closer Despite Disastrous Season

Dodgers' James Tibbs Makes History Not Seen in Over 40 Years Amid Dominant Season

Dodgers Star Hopeful He'll Avoid Major Offseason Surgery

Dodgers Lineup vs Padres: Will Smith Out, Shohei Ohtani Leading Off

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Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles with a focus in sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at Newsweek and Dodgers Nation. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and received his Masters of Science at the University of Southern California in 2025.

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