How much should Dodgers fans buy into Edwin Diaz’s success since coming off the IL?

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not mince his words when talking about Edwin Díaz during his mid-September rehab assignment. "He needs to pitch better. It hasn't been good," said Roberts.

Diaz, who has the highest average annual value in MLB relief pitcher history ($23M), struggled in the first four appearances of his rehab assignment. He had thrown just 40 of 86 pitches for strikes in his first four games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Diaz's fourth appearance was especially worrying. He threw 30 pitches — just 13 of them for strikes — walked three batters and allowed five runs. Diaz rehab came in the Pacific Coast League, which is notorious for being the most hitter-friendly league in all of baseball. That atrocious outing came in Sugar Land, however, which is the most pitcher-friendly venue in the PCL.

When the Dodgers activated Diaz from the injured list, Roberts revealed he'd be used in low-leverage situations. Well, he has been perfectly fine in his three low-leverage outings since September 18, which has assuaged some of the Dodgers fans panic levels.

Should Dodgers fans buy into Edwin Diaz’s success?

Diaz has only allowed one hit since returning from the IL. The Dodgers, however, had a run margin of +19 in those three games.

“The way he’s throwing, the ninth is possible, yes,” said Roberts after the Dodgers 7-0 win over the Padres on September 22.

The Dodgers will almost certainly give Diaz another opportunity against the San Diego Padres on Thursday. The current home series against the Friars will be Diaz's last opportunity to pitch against a playoff team before the postseason begins.

The Dodgers are currently without Emmet Sheehan, Edgardo Henriquez, Will Klein, and Eric Lauer. Outside of Alex Vesia, the rest of the bullpen is incredibly shaky. Tanner Scott has a 5.40 ERA so far this month, Justin Wrobleski has not improved since being moved to the bullpen, and who knows what Blake Treinen has left in the tank?

Dodgers fans should get accustomed to seeing Diaz the rest of the season. He's quite possibly the linchpin to this team going deep in the playoffs with the way this bullpen looks right now. Dodgers fans have the right to remain skeptical that Diaz will return to the optimal version of himself,

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