Dodgers pull off a 3-2 win over the Padres as Clayton Kershaw anchors a healthier, if thin, rotation, delivering six innings of one-run ball on 76 pitches to halt a four-game skid. The run came on a Ramon Laureano homer, but Kershaw’s sharper slider and efficiency let L.A. set a tone in a tight NL West showdown that remains tied atop the division.

Teoscar Hernandez supplied the insurance with a pivotal seventh-inning homer, while a bullpen of five relievers held the Padres in check over the final three frames. Ben Casparius worked the seventh, and Alex Vesia faced trouble in the eighth before Treinen slammed the door with a popout on the decisive at-bat. Alexis Diaz and Jack Dreyer closed it out in the ninth, giving the Dodgers a much-needed breath before five more tests against San Diego in nine days.

With Max Muncy sidelined by an oblique strain, the Dodgers leaned on depth as rookie Alex Freeland and Buddy Kennedy filled in, and the return of Kershaw helped stabilize a season that has been punctuated by injuries. The West remains a chess match, and Friday’s performance underscored that the Dodgers can still lean on high-leverage arms and a veteran ace when the moment is right.

In his first appearance against the Cincinnati Reds since being traded, Alexis Díaz secured a relief win for the Los Angeles Dodgers, throwing just eight pitches to four batters. The former Reds closer received boos from the crowd but successfully closed out the seventh and eighth innings, helping the Dodgers take a 5-4 victory. The Dodgers scored the winning run in the ninth inning on an RBI double from Will Smith. Díaz, who previously posted a 3.21 ERA with the Reds, has not allowed a run in his three outings for the Dodgers since the trade.

Tyler Glasnow made a much-anticipated return to the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting against the Milwaukee Brewers after being sidelined by shoulder inflammation. Activated from the injured list, Glasnow's performance is crucial as the Dodgers aim to end a five-game losing streak. Prior to his injury, he had a 4.50 ERA over five starts and currently holds a 1-0 record this season.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers sent reliever Alexis Díaz back to the minor leagues just one day after his call-up. Díaz, acquired in a trade from the Cincinnati Reds, struggled with a 9.64 ERA in the minors and hasn't had the opportunity to pitch for the Dodgers yet. The 28-year-old's inconsistency has raised questions about his ability to contribute effectively in the big leagues.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are making a noteworthy move by calling up pitcher Alexis Díaz, a former All-Star closer for the Cincinnati Reds, as they seek to stabilize their pitching rotation amid injuries and poor performances this season. Acquired for prospect Mike Villani, Díaz had a stellar 2022 but struggled through 2024 and this year, posting a 12.00 ERA in minor league appearances before his promotion.

In previous seasons, Díaz showcased his potential with impressive strikeout-to-walk ratios and solid innings pitched, making his return to the majors crucial for the Dodgers. If he can rediscover his earlier form, he could provide significant relief in the bullpen, especially with team control extending through 2027. The Dodgers are hopeful that facing familiar opponents like the Milwaukee Brewers will help him regain confidence.

Alexis Díaz has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers after being traded from the Cincinnati Reds for Mike Villani. The 28-year-old All-Star will undergo mechanical adjustments at the team's Arizona facility before his debut. Manager Dave Roberts highlighted the urgency for pitching depth due to injuries, including Evan Phillips' upcoming Tommy John surgery.

Díaz, who had a strong 2023 season with a 3.07 ERA and 37 saves, aims to return to form with guidance from the Dodgers' minor league coaches. His integration into the team will depend on how quickly he adjusts to the feedback he receives.