Los Angeles – Edwin Díaz, the Dodgers’ former closer, is set to rejoin the active roster after a 15‑day stint on the injured list. The 32‑year‑old will be eligible to pitch in early September and says he is ready to compete for the ninth‑inning role that has eluded him since joining the club.
Díaz’s latest setback came after a relief appearance against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, when he experienced neck inflammation. He completed a bullpen session on Saturday and, after an MRI cleared him of serious injury, he has focused on restoring his arm angle and fastball velocity. “I feel weird after the game on Monday, so I talked to the team, and they decided to check me and see what’s going on. But everything was good,” Díaz told reporters on Sunday.
His first season in Los Angeles has been challenging. Signed to a three‑year, $69 million contract in December, Díaz has posted an 11.85 ERA and recorded four blown saves in 16 games, including three blown saves in a four‑game stretch earlier this month. He attributes the struggles to a drop in his arm angle, which also contributed to the recent neck issue.
“I think with a good arm angle, my fastball runs way better than how I’m throwing right now,” Díaz explained. “I’m throwing the ball side to side, so my slider is getting flat in the middle. My fastball is running through the bat, so that’s why we are working now on that, get my arm angle back, and try to keep going and keep working.”
Manager’s Plan for Díaz’s Return
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Díaz will not automatically assume the ninth‑inning slot upon his return. “You know, I haven’t pitched good,” Díaz admitted, adding that teammate Tanner Scott is performing well. “I’m really happy for him. So when I come back, I just want to do my job, help the team win and make the postseason after that.”
Roberts expects Díaz to be used in a flexible capacity while he regains consistency. The Dodgers remain focused on a third straight World Series run, and the bullpen’s composition will be a key factor as the regular season winds down.
Ohtani’s Potential Return
In related news, two‑way star Shohei Ohtani is scheduled for another bullpen session during the Dodgers’ three‑game series at the Atlanta Braves, beginning Tuesday. If the session goes well, Ohtani could take the mound in a game the following week, marking his first major‑league appearance since July 3, when a left‑knee injury sidelined him.
Roberts praised Ohtani’s 8‑2 record, 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings this season. Should Ohtani return, the plan is to use him as an opener to rebuild stamina, a strategy that proved effective last year.
Other Injury Updates
Center fielder Andy Pages underwent surgery to stabilize a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. Roberts did not indicate that the procedure would alter the projected timeline for Pages to return before the regular season ends.
Catcher Will Smith will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Triple‑A Oklahoma City on Tuesday as he recovers from a neck injury that has kept him out since June 5.
The Dodgers’ roster adjustments and injury recoveries will be closely watched as the team pushes toward the postseason, with the organization hoping that both Díaz and Ohtani can contribute to a championship push.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
