Ongoing struggles may keep Edwin Diaz from Dodgers' postseason roster

Edwin Diaz was expected to be the answer to the Los Angeles Dodgers' issues in the ninth inning.

Instead, Diaz has become a wild card. He missed nearly three months from mid-April through mid-July after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. Diaz lasted for approximately a month before landing back on the Injured List with neck inflammation. 

His current rehab assignment has not gone according to plan. Diaz has allowed six runs on three hits and seven walks over his 3.1 innings. His most recent outing was particularly putrid as he allowed five runs on two hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch while recording two outs on Sunday.

Those struggles have put the Dodgers in a tough situation. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that manager Dave Roberts "left the door open" for the possibility that Diaz is kept off the postseason roster if he does not show improvement.

Injuries derailed strong start to Edwin Diaz tenure with Los Angeles Dodgers

Diaz had begun the season on a strong note, recording saves in four of his first five appearances while allowing only one run on two hits and three walks while striking out eight batters. However, he allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks over an inning in his last two appearances before having surgery on his elbow.

The results were not much better after Diaz returned. He continued to get hit hard as he struggled with his command, blowing three of his six save opportunities before his current IL stint. Overall, Diaz has posted an 11.85 ERA and a 2.561 WHiP over his 13.2 innings for the Dodgers, striking out 19 batters with 10 walks.

The Dodgers do not need to rush Diaz back. Tanner Scott has performed admirably as their closer in his stead, posting a 2.91 ERA and a 1.006 WHiP over his 58.2 innings, recording 22 saves while striking out 73 batters with 13 walks. If Diaz continues to struggle and cannot return to form, Scott could be the Dodgers' closer during their march through October.