Edwin Díaz (elbow) moving rehab to Single-A

Díaz looked sharp for the second straight appearance after kicking off his rehab assignment with a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless frame for Low-A Ontario last weekend. The most encouraging sign is that he’s struck out four batters in two innings so far. The 32-year-old former elite closer is coming off surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. He’ll likely require a handful of additional rehab outings before the Dodgers are ready to bring him back later this month.

Díaz, who is coming off surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow, allowed a single after the strikeouts, but then the runner was caught stealing. This is a good start, but he’ll make a few more appearances before the Dodgers consider activating him from the IL.

Díaz remains on track to rejoin the Dodgers’ bullpen sometime after next week’s All-Star break, with Tanner Scott continuing to handle the ninth inning until then. The 32-year-old former All-Star closer has been sidelined since early April, when he underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. He got off to a rocky start during his Los Angeles debut, but his track record suggests a return to form is well within reach, but only if his health cooperates. His fastball velocity and ability to generate swinging strikes during his rehab assignment will be the key indicators that fantasy managers need to closely monitor.

Díaz is presumably getting close to heading out on a minor league rehab assignment as he works his way back from elbow surgery. The 32-year-old should be ready to return as the Dodgers closer sometime after the All-Star break, but there’s little incentive for Los Angeles to rush him back too quickly. There should be a definitive return timeline once he’s cleared to start pitching in minor league contests.

Díaz came away feeling “way better than early in the season” and was encouraged that he was able to generate swings and misses against his fastball; something he struggled to do prior to his injury. The 32-year-old believes he’ll be ready to contribute not long after the All-Star break, and despite his struggles prior to the ailment, it seems likely he’ll resume closing duties when he’s back.

Roberts also noted that the Dodgers’ closer looked “really good” during the session. He remains on track to rejoin the club’s bullpen after the All-Star break, which would shift Tanner Scott back into a setup role.

Díaz continues working his way back from arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow back in early April. He appears on track to make it back to Los Angeles at some point after the All-Star break.

Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts said afterwards that the session went well and that Díaz will continue to ramp up. He’s still got a ways to go before he’s cleared to face live hitters and will ultimately require a couple of minor league rehab appearances before he’s ready to return to the Dodgers’ bullpen. He’s not expected back until after the All-Star break.

Díaz kicked off a throwing progression back in late May and will throw his first bullpen session since undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow back in late April. The 32-year-old elite closer is expected to return to the Dodgers’ bullpen at some point after next month’s All-Star break.

Díaz underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow last month and is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break in mid-July. There should be a clearer return timeline once he starts ramping up his throwing program. There’s zero urgency for the Dodgers to rush him back considering their bullpen has been one of the best in baseball this season, largely without Díaz, thanks to the emergence of younger arms like Kyle Hurt and Will Klein. It’ll likely be Tanner Scott continuing to handle the bulk of the save chances in his absence.