The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a second consecutive game to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, which saw Edwin Díaz make his first appearance since April 10.
The three-time All-Star has been dealing with right knee discomfort, but was recently cleared by the training staff to return to the mound.
Things did not go well for Díaz as he allowed three runs on three singles and a walk without recording an out. His average fastball velocity was just 95.4 mph, down from the 97.2 mph he averaged last season.
“With Edwin, he just didn’t have any command, and the velocity was down, and, obviously, not a save situation,” manager Dave Roberts said on SportsNet LA after the Dodgers’ 9-6 loss. “There might have been some adrenaline, or lack thereof, that played into it.”
Roberts continued: “Obviously, he hasn’t pitched in eight days, so I’m certain there’s some rust to that. Again, the non-save situation, but talking to him today, he wanted to pitch regardless.
“Hopefully, it’s one of those things that he just hadn’t pitched in a while.”
When asked if Díaz is healthy, Roberts said he hasn’t talked to the right-hander yet. However, he is banking on that being true after recent communication between the Dodgers closer and training staff.
“I think for us, it’s just going on what the training staff and the player tells me,” Roberts said. “You’ve got to trust him and believe they feel good, and a veteran player like him, no one should know his body better than he does.
“But obviously today, it just didn’t look sharp.”
Dave Roberts concerned with Edwin Díaz
After his rough outing against the Rockies, Díaz now holds a 10.50 ERA, 4.96 FIP and 2.33 WHIP to go along with four saves in five opportunities.
“Today was a tough evaluation,” Roberts said of Díaz. “I mean, it really was. Because I know what it’s supposed to look like, and when it doesn’t look like that, it gets a little concerning, really.
“And so, I’ll have a conversation with him. I know our training staff, and pitching guys will, and make sure that there is nothing to it, because the radar gun has been consistent, and his velocity been consistent in that, and it wasn’t there today. I got to know more.”
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