Days before the Los Angeles Dodgers began their road trip, manager Dave Roberts suggested Edwin Díaz was a candidate to return for the series finale against the Miami Marlins but Roki Sasaki would likely not come off the 15-day injured list until the team’s next homestand.
However, when Roberts spoke with reporters from loanDepot Park on Friday, he revealed the outlook for both pitchers had changed.
Dodgers updates
Edwin Díaz
Díaz pitched on back-to-back days for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday and Thursday in what initially was projected to be the final step before returning. However, Díaz is going to remain on his rehab assignment at least through the weekend.
“He’s recovering, but the thought is he’ll throw again this weekend,” Roberts said on SportsNet LA. “I think our expectation is he’s going to have another one on Sunday.”
Díaz began his latest rehab assignment on Sept. 6 and has made three appearances thus far. He’s thrown a total of 2.2 innings while allowing just one run and one hit but also walking four batters. The veteran closer additionally has collected just three strikeouts over that stretch of games.
Díaz has been on the IL since Aug. 18 because of neck inflammation. It’s the second time he’s been sidelined this season, with the first instance due to loose bodies in his right elbow that required surgery.
Díaz has struggled mightily in his first season with the Dodgers, albeit in a limited sample size.
The 32-year-old only pitched in seven games before the elbow injury, and made nine appearances before landing back on the injured list. He owns an 11.85 ERA and 2.56 WHIP to go along with four blown saves in 11 opportunities.
Díaz’s ongoing struggles upon returning in the second half prompted Roberts to preemptively announce the right-hander would be eased back into a closer role.
“I haven’t pitched good and Tanner Scott is doing a great job,” Díaz acknowledged last month. “I’m really happy for him. So when I when I come back, I just want to help. Do my job, help this team to win, and they make a decision after that.”
Roki Sasaki
As for Sasaki, whose IL stint began Aug. 27 due to a blister on his right middle finger, he now is possibly going to return on Sunday.
Sasaki threw live batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 9 and followed it with a bullpen session Friday at loanDepot Park.
“I think that’s more of Mark (Prior) just kind of putting eyes on him. He threw to hitters, he’ll throw another bullpen, and at that point in time it’s just figuring out what day to slot him in,” Roberts said when discussing what would determine if Sasaki starts Sunday.
Emmet Sheehan had been projected to take the mound in the series finale against the Marlins, and will remain in the rotation even if that start goes to Sasaki.
Sasaki became eligible to get activated off the injured list on Friday.
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