The Dodgers sent All-Star closer Edwin Diaz on a rehab assignment tonight. The right-hander is recovering from elbow surgery. Diaz had a procedure to remove loose bodies in late April. He’s now back on the mound and working toward a return to Los Angeles.
Diaz’s tenure with the Dodgers got off to a strong start. He picked up saves in four of his first five appearances, allowing just a run. The veteran righty blew his first save against the Rangers, then didn’t pitch for nine days. When he finally returned to the mound, Diaz imploded, allowing three earned runs without recording an out. He went on the IL the following day.
Even during his good outings, Diaz’s velocity was down. He sat at 95.7 mph with his four-seamer. He’s never averaged below 97 mph as a big leaguer. Diaz’s slider was also down about a tick from last season. The pitch had more drop and horizontal break than normal.
The Dodgers handed Tanner Scott the ninth inning when Diaz went down. The results have been solid, as the lefty has picked up 13 saves in 15 tries. Most importantly, Scott has a career-best 3.5% walk rate. Control is typically his downfall, but he has just five walks in 40 games. Scott could continue to factor into the ninth-inning equation even after Diaz returns.
Here are more items from the Dodgers…
- Left-hander Blake Snell threw live batting practice on Saturday (video link via Sonja Chen of MLB.com). It’s his first time facing live hitters since having elbow surgery in May. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters, including Chen, that Snell will start a rehab assignment next week. He’s expected to need four to five starts before returning to the majors.
- Right-hander Tyler Glasnow tossed a fastball-only bullpen on Friday. What was initially believed to be a minor back injury has sidelined the righty for more than two months. Glasnow has had multiple setbacks as he’s tried to return to the mound.”There’s been times where he’s played catch, thrown pens and then feels good until he doesn’t,” Roberts said, relayed by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “The back is a little tricky.”
- Two-way star Shohei Ohtani provided more details about his injured knee, which will keep him out of the All-Star game. The discomfort is in his kneecap, relays Dylan Hernandez of the California Post. Ohtani had surgery on that knee during the 2019 season while with the Angels. He had no problem launching a leadoff homer yesterday, but explained the injury is more of an issue on the mound. “Pitching puts more of a strain on it.” Ohtani is slated to have the knee drained over the break.
- Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will also miss the All-Star game. Roberts said the ace won’t pitch in the exhibition (h/t Jack Harris of the California Post). Yamamoto started on Saturday against the Diamondbacks. Pitchers who throw over the weekend often choose to skip the game. Teammate Justin Wrobleski will take Yamamoto’s spot on the National League squad.
- Utilityman Kiké Hernández expects to return to the club during the first homestand following the All-Star break, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Dodgers open the second half with three series on the road. The first home series starts on July 28 against the Mariners. Hernandez strained his oblique in late May. He’s yet to begin a rehab assignment.
Photo courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images
