Nothing has gone according to plan for Edwin Díaz during his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but there is still plenty of time for him to make the impact expected when he signed a three-year, $69 million contract.

Díaz took another step toward finding his rhythm following right elbow surgery by retiring the side in order in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 6-5 comeback victory against the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

The save was his second since returning from the 60-day Injured List.

It also came in Díaz’s first appearance since blowing a save against the Arizona Diamondbacks, when he surrendered back-to-back triples after entering in the ninth inning on Saturday.

Despite his recent struggles, manager Dave Roberts continues to trust Díaz and intends to keep him in the closer role, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Roberts explained that his approach has remained consistent because the Dodgers need to determine whether they can trust Díaz during the postseason. If they cannot, Roberts believes Los Angeles would have significant problems.

Because of that, the manager wants to give Díaz every opportunity to become comfortable again, eliminate the rust accumulated during his absence and rediscover himself while continuing to pitch in the closer role.

“I think I’ve always been consistent with this,” Roberts said.

“If you look at how you’re going to use guys in the postseason – in my opinion – if we can’t trust Edwin Diaz in the postseason, then we’re going to have big problems. So I have to give him every opportunity to get comfortable, get back, cut his teeth, dust the rust off – whatever way you want to look at it – in that role. I have to look at it that way.”

Another factor in Roberts’ decision is Díaz’s confidence.

Roberts believes there is a psychological component to closing games, particularly the importance of a player knowing that his manager and teammates continue believing in him.

Although confidence cannot easily be quantified, Roberts considers it a genuine factor and does not want to damage Díaz’s belief by removing him from the role.

“That’s part of my calculus,” Roberts explained.

“Because at the end of the day, there’s a psyche component to the closer coming in … and that player believing my manager, my team believes in me. That’s a part of it. That’s where people just don’t understand because you can’t quantify that. It’s not tangible. But it’s a real feeling that I don’t want to chip away at.”

There were encouraging signs against Kansas City.

Díaz’s fastball velocity increased one tick from his season average, sitting at 97.1 mph while facing the bottom of the Royals’ lineup.

The outing was more consistent with what Roberts wants from the perennial All-Star closer, although concerns remained.

Díaz allowed a deep fly ball that was caught in center field, and his final pitch was a hittable slider.

Keeping Díaz as closer also makes sense because the Dodgers lack an obvious replacement.

Tanner Scott performed exceptionally well while Díaz was on the IL, but his fastball velocity has become a concern during the second half. Evan Phillips has not been sharp this season, while Alex Vesia has recently been inconsistent.

Díaz has converted six of nine save opportunities this season while posting a 9.82 ERA and 2.27 WHIP in 11 innings over 13 appearances.

Beyond the difficult numbers, Díaz possesses qualities that explain Roberts’ patience.

Closing games requires the ability to handle pressure, recover quickly from failure and continue attacking hitters when one mistake can decide the outcome. Díaz has extensive experience handling that responsibility.

His confidence and aggressive mentality have always been central to his effectiveness. Maintaining those traits while rebuilding trust in his pitches following surgery is crucial.

The Dodgers do not need Díaz to immediately erase everything that has happened this season. They need him to progressively rediscover the command, conviction and presence that made him a perennial All-Star.

For now, Roberts is giving him that opportunity in the ninth inning.