CINCINNATI -- Edwin Díaz's shaky rehab stint has reached its conclusion.
Díaz is expected to be activated from the IL on Friday in Los Angeles, manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday's game in Cincinnati. He pitched a scoreless inning in his fifth rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, a step forward after he allowed five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in his previous appearance on Sunday.
The first season of Díaz's three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers has been filled with adversity. Two IL stints -- first due to surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow in April, and currently neck inflammation that sidelined him in August -- have kept him off the big league mound for most of the season. When he has been healthy, he hasn't performed, recording an 11.85 ERA with four blown saves in 11 opportunities.
The Dodgers initially hoped that Díaz's rehab assignment would be brief, but they needed to see more from him before activating him from the IL. In five appearances with Oklahoma City, Díaz allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings (12.46 ERA). His command issues have continued, as he had more walks (seven) than strikeouts (four).
As it was, Díaz was already set to be used in lower leverage upon returning from the IL. But he may also have to earn his spot in the postseason bullpen, as Roberts acknowledged Monday that he could be left off the roster if he doesn't take strides forward.
"I think like anything, it should be a meritocracy," Roberts said. "You have to earn the right of opportunities, but then you also got to perform, right? Eddie understands that. I think where we're at now we just need guys to buy in, perform and go from there."
Here's everything to know about Díaz's final rehab outing:
How did he perform?
Díaz threw 15 pitches (11 strikes) to complete a scoreless ninth inning, working around a two-out double that came off the bat of fellow rehabber Miguel Andujar at 104.3 mph. He did not induce a whiff on the eight swings taken against him (six on his slider and two on his four-seamer).
What are they saying?
Even though the underlying numbers behind Díaz's scoreless inning were not ideal, he was able to work with what he had to get three outs -- which was what the Dodgers needed to see from him.
"Quality of strike-throwing. Get guys out. That's probably it," Roberts said. "As you get into the postseason, every inning's leverage."
What's next?
The Dodgers saw enough on Wednesday to bring Díaz back for their final nine games of the regular season. He will start out by pitching in low leverage, but could earn higher-leverage opportunities if he performs.
What else?
- The Dodgers got a bullpen reinforcement on Wednesday, activating Trade Deadline acquisition Kris Bubic from the 60-day IL. The left-hander tossed a scoreless inning in his team debut to begin making his case for L.A.'s postseason bullpen.
- Edgardo Henriquez remains hopeful to return for the postseason after imaging on his back revealed a low-grade strain, Roberts said. Amid the uncertainty with Díaz, Henriquez would be an option to close postseason games if he is healthy.
- Last year's postseason closer, Roki Sasaki, could take on a similar leverage role this year once he's activated from a 15-day IL stint due to a right middle finger blister. But the Dodgers will keep him stretched out as a starter for now while they evaluate their needs.