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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called upon Díaz in a save situation for the second time this postseason, this time to protect a three-run lead against the bottom of Atlanta’s order with a chance to end the best-of-five series. He punched out pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez on an impressive 99.1 mph fastball and got Mauricio Dubón to fly out to right field before coaxing a series-ending fly ball from Austin Riley to send Los Angeles back to the NLCS to face either the Brewers or Padres later this week. It’s a massive development for the Dodgers that Díaz looks like his former self again after an abysmal, injury-plagued regular season.

It was fairly stunning to see Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turn to Díaz in a massive spot, asking him to preserve a two-run lead on the road at Trust Park, following an injury-plagued and ineffective regular season. He immediately served up a leadoff double to Ozzie Albies, which brought the potential game-tying run to the plate. He managed to settle down and retire both Michael Harris II and Mauricio Dubón before getting pinch-hitter Mike Yastrzemski to ground out, thanks to a brilliant defensive play by shortstop Mookie Betts. It’s fair to assume that Díaz will continue to receive opportunities to close as the Dodgers continue their postseason run. This was his first save since August 14.

This was probably Díaz’s best showing yet. He matched his season high from last week by averaging 97.6 mph with his fastball. He’s at 97.3 mph in four appearances since coming off the IL, which is one mph better than he averaged previously this year.

Expectations are low for Díaz at the moment, but he was sharp tonight in throwing 12 of his 17 pitches for strikes while pitching with a six-run lead. He averaged 97.6 mph with his fastball, with his 1.3 mph better than his season norm, and he lowered his ERA from 11.85 to 11.05.

As anticipated, Díaz returns to the Dodgers’ bullpen for Friday night’s battle against the Giants. The expectation is that the Dodgers will ease him back into high-leverage situations, so fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him to be a viable option for saves over the final 10 days of the regular season. Landon Knack was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move on Friday.

Díaz was placed on the injured list on August 18th with neck inflammation. His minor league rehab assignment has been a mixed bag, with a couple of poor outings last week and then a scoreless inning on Wednesday night. The Dodgers want the 32-year-old to get MLB innings before the postseason begins, but he will have to pitch his way back into the ninth-inning role, which means Tanner Scott will remain the closer for the time being.

Díaz gave up a double to a rehabbing Miguel Andujar, but managed to fire a much-needed scoreless frame. The 32-year-old isn’t a lock for the Dodgers’ postseason roster, but it would be a surprise if he were left off altogether. There’s a chance he’s activated before the end of the week.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters they’ll be watching Díaz’s performance closely to determine whether he can return as part of their postseason bullpen. The results simply haven’t been there for Los Angeles to pencil his name onto their playoff roster, but they’re going to give him a chance to earn a spot over the next two weeks.

If all goes well in his next outing, it sounds like the Dodgers will be ready to activate the 32-year-old hurler off of the injured list. What remains to be seen is if he is thrust right back into a high-leverage role in the Dodgers’ bullpen or if they’ll gradually ease him back into it.

Díaz is slated to make back-to-back appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City this week before he’s potentially activated from the injured list. The 32-year-old former elite closer has been on the shelf with neck inflammation since late August. It feels highly unlikely that he’ll be thrust into high-leverage spots for the Dodgers right away.

Díaz, rehabbing from neck inflammation, averaged 96.0 mph with his fastball, which is close to his average of 96.3 mph for the season. He walked one, and neither ball in play against him was hit hard. The Dodgers haven’t indicated how many rehab appearances they think Díaz will require. He’s expected to return in a lower leverage role initially.

Díaz threw at Dodger Stadium prior to tonight’s game and apparently looked pretty good. He’s been on the IL since Aug. 18 with neck inflammation.

Díaz is eligible to return on Sept. 2 and should be ready then or shortly thereafter. Manager Dave Roberts did say he’d be used in lower leverage spots initially. Tanner Scott will likely keep closing until Díaz can string together a few strong innings.

The fact that Díaz is dealing with something more muscular in nature as opposed to nerve-related is an encouraging development. The 32-year-old closer landed back on the injured list with neck inflammation earlier this week. He’ll be shut down from throwing for a couple days before the club determines his next steps. He’s likely facing a multi-week absence. It’ll be Tanner Scott handling the closing duties for Los Angeles moving forward.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Díaz is headed back to Los Angeles to undergo further evaluation that will determine his next steps. The 32-year-old former elite closer has been an unmitigated disaster during the first year of a three-year, $69 million contract, recording an 11.85 ERA across 13 2/3 innings. He heads back to the shelf after being clobbered for 11 runs over 7 2/3 innings since returning from the injured list back on July 29. The lone encouraging takeaway is that he’s not dealing with any issues related to his surgically repaired elbow. Tanner Scott seems like the most logical candidate to handle the closing duties for the Dodgers over the final six weeks of the season.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Díaz has been pitching through a physical issue since he’s been lit up for a staggering 11 runs over 7 2/3 innings since returning from the injured list back on July 29. He was torched for three runs in mop-up duty, while also dealing with diminished velocity, against the Rockies on Monday night. Woo adds that Díaz is believed to be dealing with an upper-body issue that is unrelated to his surgically repaired elbow. Tanner Scott is the logical candidate to reclaim the closer role in Los Angeles. At this point, it’s challenging for fantasy managers to trust Díaz, even if he makes it back before the seasons concludes.

The Rockies managed four hits off Díaz’s fastball, which has been a problem since his return. He still has mechanical work to do to regain some movement, but the Dodgers can afford to be fairly patient with him. It would, however, certainly be best if he doesn’t blow another save right away. Given that he threw 23 pitches tonight, he might be down on Tuesday, perhaps giving Tanner Scott a chance to close.

The job got done, but Díaz was all over the place tonight and did nothing to instill anyone with any confidence in him. The HBP started the inning and also would have been a walk on a full-count pitch. Díaz rebounded to fan Christian Yelich and eventually got two groundouts without a run scoring. It took him 26 pitches, bringing his total to 50 the last two days, so he’ll certainly get at least Saturday off after this. With Tanner Scott also having worked two straight days, Alex Vesia might be in line for a save chance.

Díaz, who came in with a two-run lead to start the ninth, gave up four straight singles in between a pair of strikeouts. The last hit tied the game, and then Alex Vesia gave up a go-ahead single after taking over. The first two hits against Díaz came on bad fastballs near the heart of the plate, but the third and the fourth were more a case of good hitting by the Brewers. Four singles doesn’t really mean much in the grand scheme of things — it’s better than going down because of walks and homers — but the latest poor showing might get Díaz bumped from the closer’s role for a spell. It’s the fourth time in five appearances this month that he’s been scored upon. Tanner Scott figures to be the main beneficiary if Díaz is thrust into lower leverage situations for now.

It’s been a struggle for Díaz since he came off the IL, but his lone difficulty tonight against the bottom third of the Royals lineup was his shoelace coming untied with two outs. He threw only 12 pitches, so he should be available to close again Tuesday.