Edwin Díaz (neck) MRI comes back clean

If all goes well in his next outing, it sounds like the Dodgers will be ready to activate the 32-year-old hurler off of the injured list. What remains to be seen is if he is thrust right back into a high-leverage role in the Dodgers’ bullpen or if they’ll gradually ease him back into it.

Díaz is slated to make back-to-back appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City this week before he’s potentially activated from the injured list. The 32-year-old former elite closer has been on the shelf with neck inflammation since late August. It feels highly unlikely that he’ll be thrust into high-leverage spots for the Dodgers right away.

Díaz, rehabbing from neck inflammation, averaged 96.0 mph with his fastball, which is close to his average of 96.3 mph for the season. He walked one, and neither ball in play against him was hit hard. The Dodgers haven’t indicated how many rehab appearances they think Díaz will require. He’s expected to return in a lower leverage role initially.

Díaz threw at Dodger Stadium prior to tonight’s game and apparently looked pretty good. He’s been on the IL since Aug. 18 with neck inflammation.

Díaz is eligible to return on Sept. 2 and should be ready then or shortly thereafter. Manager Dave Roberts did say he’d be used in lower leverage spots initially. Tanner Scott will likely keep closing until Díaz can string together a few strong innings.

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.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Díaz has been pitching through a physical issue since he’s been lit up for a staggering 11 runs over 7 2/3 innings since returning from the injured list back on July 29. He was torched for three runs in mop-up duty, while also dealing with diminished velocity, against the Rockies on Monday night. Woo adds that Díaz is believed to be dealing with an upper-body issue that is unrelated to his surgically repaired elbow. Tanner Scott is the logical candidate to reclaim the closer role in Los Angeles. At this point, it’s challenging for fantasy managers to trust Díaz, even if he makes it back before the seasons concludes.

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.