Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Edwin Diaz responded to manager Dave Roberts’ postseason warning with a better outing.
Roberts was asked Monday about Diaz’s concerning Triple-A performance. He has a 12.46 ERA over 4.1 innings in his current rehab assignment due to neck inflammation.
The manager didn’t mince words about Diaz’s postseason status.
“He needs to pitch better. I think the world of him. The baseball card looks great. But it’s like, where we’re at, there’s got to be something for us to be able to hang our hat on. And he knows that. He knows that. He wants to pitch well,” Roberts said.
Diaz’s most concerning outing came on Sunday, when he allowed two hits, three walks, and hit a batter, allowing a total of five runs.
On Wednesday, Diaz came out to the challenge Roberts posed to improve his final line and delivered a promising outing.
He allowed one hit, a 100+ mph double, according to Baseball Savant, along with two flyouts and a groundout.
Diaz had no whiffs, which is certainly concerning for a pitcher known for swing-and-miss stuff.
On the bright side, Diaz averaged 1.6 MPH more on his fastball, and he had more induced vertical break on the slider, adding another two inches from his season average.
Where does Edwin Diaz go from here?
The OKC Comets have four games left on their schedule, meaning Diaz could make two more appearances before he needs to return to the Dodgers for additional action.
At that point, Diaz will get some chances to show the Dodgers why he should be on the playoff roster.
“We have to go with our best pitchers, as far as performance, talent, all that stuff,” Roberts said.
“So my bet is that he will be (on the roster). But again, there’s got to be some kind of evidence or something for us, again, to sort of bet on. And so my bet is yes, but we still got to see something.”
Diaz’s reputation can take him far and give him the nod in a bullpen with some other question marks, but it will ultimately come down to his final outings for the Dodgers.
