Report: Dodgers placing closer Edwin Díaz on IL

Scott entered the game with two outs and two runners on in the eighth inning with a two-run lead. He retired the final batter to preserve the lead and returned for the ninth, giving up one run on two hits before holding on to secure the win and his 17th save of the season. With Edwin Díaz(neck) on the injured list, expect Scott to handle the bulk of ninth-inning duties.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Díaz is headed back to Los Angeles to undergo further evaluation that will determine his next steps. The 32-year-old former elite closer has been an unmitigated disaster during the first year of a three-year, $69 million contract, recording an 11.85 ERA across 13 2/3 innings. He heads back to the shelf after being clobbered for 11 runs over 7 2/3 innings since returning from the injured list back on July 29. The lone encouraging takeaway is that he’s not dealing with any issues related to his surgically repaired elbow. Tanner Scott seems like the most logical candidate to handle the closing duties for the Dodgers over the final six weeks of the season.

The Rockies managed four hits off Díaz’s fastball, which has been a problem since his return. He still has mechanical work to do to regain some movement, but the Dodgers can afford to be fairly patient with him. It would, however, certainly be best if he doesn’t blow another save right away. Given that he threw 23 pitches tonight, he might be down on Tuesday, perhaps giving Tanner Scott a chance to close.

The job got done, but Díaz was all over the place tonight and did nothing to instill anyone with any confidence in him. The HBP started the inning and also would have been a walk on a full-count pitch. Díaz rebounded to fan Christian Yelich and eventually got two groundouts without a run scoring. It took him 26 pitches, bringing his total to 50 the last two days, so he’ll certainly get at least Saturday off after this. With Tanner Scott also having worked two straight days, Alex Vesia might be in line for a save chance.

Díaz, who came in with a two-run lead to start the ninth, gave up four straight singles in between a pair of strikeouts. The last hit tied the game, and then Alex Vesia gave up a go-ahead single after taking over. The first two hits against Díaz came on bad fastballs near the heart of the plate, but the third and the fourth were more a case of good hitting by the Brewers. Four singles doesn’t really mean much in the grand scheme of things — it’s better than going down because of walks and homers — but the latest poor showing might get Díaz bumped from the closer’s role for a spell. It’s the fourth time in five appearances this month that he’s been scored upon. Tanner Scott figures to be the main beneficiary if Díaz is thrust into lower leverage situations for now.

It’s been a struggle for Díaz since he came off the IL, but his lone difficulty tonight against the bottom third of the Royals lineup was his shoelace coming untied with two outs. He threw only 12 pitches, so he should be available to close again Tuesday.

Oh dear. Díaz was handed a one-run lead, and it almost immediately went away with the right-hander giving up back-to-back triples to give him yet another blown save. Those looking for the glass to be half full can point to the 32-year-old getting out of the inning without giving up the winning run, but those who want that glass to be closer to empty are within their rights. Yes it’s been somewhat due to injuries, but it’s hard to call what Díaz has done in 2026 anything but a disaster. A 10.80 ERA in August is pretty hard to argue against.

Working with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Díaz walked the leadoff man in the ninth, struck out Tim Tawa and then gave up a walkoff homer to Ryan Waldschmidt. It’s the second homer Díaz has allowed in four appearances since coming off the IL, though it’s the first to hurt the Dodgers. He should still be safe in the closer’s role for now, but another blown save right away could change that.

Díaz came in to keep the game close in the eighth after not having pitched since Friday, and unfortunately for him and the Dodgers, he gave up a solo homer to Nico Hoerner. He also gave up a hit and a walk in an appearance that would be classified as a lot of things before it was considered impressive. Since returning from the injured list, Díaz has given up runs in two of his three innings, and his ERA is now 9.35 on the season.

Díaz’s velocity was down a bit from Wednesday, but he allowed only a single and struck out two of the four batters he faced. He’ll definitely be down Friday after this, and Tanner Scott, who set him up for a second straight game, likely will be, too. Perhaps that will result in a save chance for Evan Phillips.