Edwin Díaz is headed for one more rehab outing before the Dodgers bring him back, with manager Dave Roberts saying the right-hander will get another appearance after a scoreless inning Sunday for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Díaz opened his rehab assignment against the Round Rock Express, the Texas Rangers’ affiliate, and the box score was mixed at best. He threw only seven of 16 pitches for strikes, didn’t miss a bat, walked one hitter and got his lone strikeout looking. Still, Roberts came away encouraged enough to say the plan is another tune-up before Díaz rejoins the club.
“It was good. It was good,” Roberts said. “I’m sure Edwin’s going to want to get back here as soon as possible, but I’m probably more on the get another one, and then get back with us.”
Díaz has been out since Aug. 18 with neck inflammation, marking his second trip to the injured list this season. Earlier, he missed more than three months while recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.
His first return didn’t go smoothly. After coming off that initial IL stint, Díaz gave up 16 hits and 11 runs across 7.2 innings and blew three save chances. In 13.2 innings at the big league level this year, he’s 2-2 with an 11.85 ERA and a 2.56 WHIP.
It’s been a rough first season in Los Angeles, but there’s still time for Díaz to change the story. The Dodgers will give him a chance to finish the regular season on a better note and, ideally, carry that into October.
When he does come back, he won’t be dropped right back into the closer’s chair. Roberts has already said Díaz will be eased in, and the three-time All-Star knows he’ll have to win that trust back.
“Well, we got a lot of season left,” Díaz said. “We are a playoff team, so my goal is to be ready and help this team in the playoffs.
So I’m working on that. I know I will be back, so I’m really positive.”
For now, Tanner Scott has been handling most of the save opportunities. Edgardo Henriquez could also start getting a look in the ninth inning, especially with the way he’s been throwing and the buzz around his record-setting fastball.
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