Edwin Díaz Struggles in Latest Rehab Outing as Dodgers Delay Return

Edwin Díaz appeared close to rejoining the Dodgers just a few days ago.

Now, that return is far less certain.

Díaz struggled badly in his latest rehab appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, allowing three earned runs, three walks and a hit batter while recording only two outs. He threw 30 pitches, but only 13 were strikes.

That outing came after Díaz had already completed the back-to-back test the Dodgers wanted to see earlier in the week, including a scoreless inning Thursday.

At that point, a return as early as Sunday in Miami seemed realistic.

It never happened.

Instead, the Dodgers kept him on the rehab assignment, and Sunday’s performance raised a new set of questions about whether he is ready to help the Major League bullpen.

Sunday Was a Significant Step Back

The issue was not simply that Díaz allowed runs.

It was the lack of command.

Three walks and a hit batter in less than an inning is exactly the type of outing the Dodgers were hoping to avoid after giving Díaz extra time to work on his mechanics during this latest IL stint.

According to True Blue LA, Díaz has now allowed six earned runs in 3⅓ innings across four rehab appearances, with his strike percentage remaining a concern.

For a reliever whose fastball command and arm slot have been major points of emphasis all season, Sunday did little to suggest he is ready to step directly into meaningful Major League innings.

Dodgers Were Already Planning to Ease Him Back

Even before the latest setback, Dave Roberts had made clear that Díaz would not immediately return to the closer role once activated.

The Dodgers planned to use him in lower-leverage situations first, allowing him to rebuild confidence and prove that his command and stuff were trending in the right direction. Tanner Scott has handled most of the save opportunities during Díaz’s absence.

That plan made sense when Díaz was progressing.

After Sunday, even those lower-leverage innings may have to wait.

The Dodgers have not announced a new activation date.

A Difficult Season Keeps Getting More Complicated

Díaz’s first season in Los Angeles has been defined by injuries and inconsistency.

He underwent right-elbow surgery in April, missed roughly three months and returned in late July. He then landed back on the injured list in August with neck inflammation.

In 16 Major League appearances this season, Díaz owns an 11.85 ERA in 13⅔ innings with four blown saves in 11 opportunities.

The Dodgers had hoped this second rehab process would give him time to correct the mechanical issues that contributed to his struggles earlier in the year.

Sunday was not the response they wanted.

Return Timeline Now Unclear

The Dodgers had previously been targeting an early-to-mid September return, and Díaz appeared to be on track after getting through his back-to-back outings.

That timeline is now much murkier.

There is no official indication that Díaz has suffered another physical setback. The concern appears to be performance and command rather than a new injury.

But with the postseason approaching, the Dodgers cannot simply activate him because the calendar says it is time.

They need to believe he can consistently throw strikes and get Major League hitters out.

Right now, that confidence is harder to find.

October Role Suddenly in Doubt

There is still time for Díaz to turn things around.

One poor rehab outing does not erase his career track record, and the Dodgers clearly want to give him every opportunity to contribute.

But the postseason roster conversation has changed.

Díaz was once expected to return and gradually work his way back toward late-inning responsibilities.

Now, the first question is whether he can get back to the Major League roster at all before October.

Sunday’s outing did not eliminate that possibility.

It did make the path much more difficult.