Dodgers closer Díaz heads back to IL with neck inflammation

DENVER --Edwin Díaz's difficult first season in Dodger blue took another hit on Tuesday.

Los Angeles placed the All-Star closer back on the injured list with right-side neck inflammation before the Dodgers faced the Rockies at Coors Field.

“We don’t know if this is something that has been there the last week or so, but it showed its head last night,” Roberts said, referring to Díaz’s rough ninth inning in the Dodgers’ 11-5 win over the Rockies.

Díaz will return to Los Angeles, where he will be examined on Wednesday morning by Dr. Robert Watkins, a spine surgeon who works with the Dodgers.

For now, lefty Tanner Scott will move into the closer role.

The Dodgers hope that if Díaz can find relief from the neck injury, he can return to form and help the Dodgers down the stretch run and in the postseason. Roberts said he expects Díaz to return this season.

“I think this is something where Edwin -- I don’t know if he’s encouraged -- but there’s just knowing that there could be a reason why his stuff has not been playing like it has in the past,” Roberts said. “With the neck, obviously, there are ties to the whole body.

“I’m personally excited that we can find something that’s going on.”

Díaz’s injury is unrelated to the April procedure he underwent to remove loose bodies from his pitching elbow. The righty made seven appearances for the Dodgers before the surgery, struggling considerably in his final two outings before being placed on the injured list on April 20.

Díaz returned from the IL on July 29, but his struggles persisted. He has allowed at least one run in six of his nine outings since being activated, including three runs on Thursday against the Brewers and three on Monday in Colorado. Díaz has blown three saves since returning and four overall while saving just seven games this season. In 13 2/3 innings, he has an 11.85 ERA and a 2.56 WHIP.

It’s been a tough year for the 32-year-old closer, who had a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves last season for the Mets. The three-time All-Star signed a three-year, $69 million deal to join the Dodgers in the offseason but has failed to shore up a bullpen that gave Los Angeles problems at times last season, though it solidified in time to help the club win its second straight World Series.