'I haven't done my job': Díaz prepares for new role after return from IL

This story was excerpted from Sonja Chen’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The next time the trumpets sound at Dodger Stadium, it likely won't be to herald the ninth inning.

Edwin Díaz is progressing quickly as he works his way back from his second stint on the injured list this season, this time due to neck inflammation. But unlike the first time he was activated from the IL -- after surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow -- he will not slot right back into the closer role.

"I think it's more about getting him back healthy and then putting him in some softer landing situations to get the confidence, to get the feel and the trust of executing pitches, getting Major League hitters out," manager Dave Roberts said. "And then at that point in time, we'll go from there."

Tanner Scott has been the primary option in save situations without Díaz, and he should continue to get those opportunities going forward.

"I’m good with the decision because I know I haven’t done my job," Díaz said. "If I’d done my job, I’d be pitching in the ninth inning. But I’m super happy because Tanner Scott is doing his job and doing it really well."

The first season of Díaz's three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers has not gone as planned. Díaz is expected to miss around the minimum length of time during this current IL stint, but he was out for three months due to the loose bodies in his elbow earlier this season. He hasn't performed well when healthy, recording an 11.85 ERA in 16 appearances with four blown saves in 11 opportunities.

Díaz's fastball velocity was a primary issue before his elbow surgery. His velocity ticked up when he returned, but his mechanics were off. His arm angle has been notably lower this year, which the pitching coaches believe is at the root of his problem.

"I think with a good arm angle, my fastball runs way better than [it is] now," Díaz said. "I'm throwing, right now, side to side, so my slider is getting flat in the middle. My fastball's running through the bat, so that's why we are working now to get the angle back."

Díaz threw a bullpen session over the weekend and could progress to facing hitters soon. The Dodgers are targeting an early September return for him, not long after he's eligible. They'll see if time to work on his mechanics -- and a stint in lower leverage -- can unlock the dominant closer they signed this past offseason.

"It’s a little bit frustrating because I know the pitcher I am," Díaz said. "I know when I'm good, I can do really good things. I'm working to come back in that form."

Here are a few more notes on the bullpen:

• Eric Lauer is shifting to relief, although he'll remain built up. He will be available to provide length behind Tyler Glasnow if needed on Tuesday, and after that, he'll be the primary piggyback arm when Shohei Ohtani returns to the rotation.

• Justin Wrobleski (left forearm inflammation) will also move to the 'pen once he's activated from the IL (the hope being early September). The Dodgers foresee him being a multi-inning option.

• Emmet Sheehan was briefly in the Dodgers' bullpen last week, but did not make a relief appearance. He's remaining built up as a starter with Triple-A Oklahoma City, most recently dealing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts on Sunday.