The Los Angeles Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series championships and could be well on their way to a third straight, as they have been the best team in baseball by quite a large margin this season.

The Dodgers are elite at pretty much anything. They have a threatening lineup, a tremendous starting rotation and a nasty bullpen. But in terms of the latter, they’re actually missing one of their top arms: Edwin Diaz.

Los Angeles signed Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract in free agency, only to watch as the right-hander pitched in just seven games before undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.

Diaz has been sidelined ever since, but now, with the Dodgers inching closer and closer to October, the 32-year-old has revealed a major update.

According to Dodgers reporter David Vassegh, Diaz has stated he will return shortly after the All-Star break, which runs from July 13-16.

Diaz struggled in his seven appearances this season, allowing seven runs on nine hits over six innings of work, but it seems as if he was compromised at the time.

Of course, the three-time All-Star has been very volatile throughout his career.

Diaz began his big-league tenure with the Seattle Mariners in 2016 and spent three seasons there before being traded to the New York Mets, where he spent most of his career to date.

The Puerto Rican native lost his job as closer numerous times throughout his time with the Mets, but when he was right, he was dominant.

Last year, Diaz logged a 1.63 ERA while averaging 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings, earning an All-Star selection. He also finished ninth in NL Cy Young award voting in 2022 after pitching to the tune of a 1.31 ERA and 17.1 K/9.

Tanner Scott has been holding down the closer role for Los Angeles in Diaz’s absence, so it will be interesting to see if Diaz reclaims his job once he returns.

The Dodgers were 59-31 entering play on Sunday.