Dodgers Closer Díaz Takes Important Step Forward

Edwin Díaz is getting closer to making his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The veteran reliever began a minor-league rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, pitching a scoreless inning against the Round Rock Express. It was Díaz's first appearance in a game since landing on the Injured List with neck inflammation, giving him an opportunity to test his arm and delivery against opposing hitters.

For Díaz, the outing represented another important stage in his recovery as he works toward getting back into the Dodgers' bullpen.

He needed only 16 pitches to complete the inning, throwing seven for strikes. Díaz allowed one walk and recorded a strikeout while keeping Round Rock off the scoreboard.

While the results were encouraging, the most important part of the appearance was simply getting back onto a mound in a competitive setting.

Díaz has spent time working at Dodger Stadium as he attempted to correct some issues with his delivery. Now, he is beginning to transfer that work into game action, something that should give the Dodgers a better idea of where he stands physically and mechanically.

The 32-year-old has endured a difficult season since joining Los Angeles. Díaz signed with the Dodgers during the offseason after spending the previous several seasons establishing himself as one of baseball's most dominant closers with the New York Mets.

His first season in Los Angeles has not gone according to plan, however.

Díaz has appeared in 16 games and has struggled to find the consistency that made him such an attractive addition to the Dodgers' bullpen. He has allowed 18 earned runs over 13.2 innings while recording four blown saves.

An elbow issue also interrupted his season. Díaz underwent surgery in April to remove loose bodies from his right elbow before eventually returning to the Dodgers in late July.

The hope was that the procedure would help him get back to the pitcher the Dodgers expected when they signed him. Instead, Díaz continued to search for consistency before his latest injury forced another stint on the Injured List.

That makes his current rehab assignment particularly important.

Díaz has already been working on his delivery during his time away from the team, and facing hitters in a game gives him a chance to evaluate those adjustments under more realistic conditions.

His first outing was brief, but it was a positive beginning.

The Dodgers are expected to be careful with Díaz as he works his way back. Rather than immediately placing him into the ninth inning when he returns, the team plans to ease him into game situations.

That approach should give Díaz an opportunity to regain his rhythm and confidence before potentially taking back the closer role.

Díaz could make another rehab appearance as he continues building toward a return to Los Angeles. The Dodgers will likely want to see how he responds to his first outing before determining the next step.

For a team preparing for the final stretch of the season, getting Díaz healthy and back into the bullpen could be significant. But before he can worry about closing games again, he needs to complete his rehabilitation and show that he is ready to handle a regular workload.

Sunday's scoreless inning was the first step.

Now, Díaz will look to build on it and continue moving closer to his Dodgers return.