Dodgers reliever Edwin Díaz expected to return to the majors on Saturday, but he must earn his playoff role through performance.

Edwin Díaz’s up-and-down rehab games are finally over. Manager Dave Roberts said before today’s game against the Cincinnati Reds that Díaz is expected to be activated from the injured list on Saturday before the Dodgers' home game in Los Angeles. On Thursday, he delivered a scoreless inning in his fifth rehab outing for Triple-A Oklahoma City—a significant improvement from his previous appearance on Monday, where he gave up 5 earned runs in 0.2 innings.

Díaz’s first year of a three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers has been fraught with challenges. He has landed on the injured list twice—first in April for removal of a loose body in his right elbow, and currently in August due to neck inflammation that has kept him off the major league mound for most of the season. Even when healthy, he has not performed well, posting an 11.85 ERA and blowing 4 of 11 save opportunities.

The Dodgers initially hoped Díaz’s rehab would be brief, but they needed to see more before activating him. Across five outings in Oklahoma City, Díaz pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 6 runs for a 12.46 ERA. His control issues persist, with 7 walks exceeding 4 strikeouts.

Originally, upon returning from the injured list, Díaz was already slated to pitch in low-leverage situations. However, he may still need to compete for a spot in the postseason bullpen. Roberts acknowledged on Monday that without significant improvement, Díaz might not make the playoff roster.

“I think, like anything, the best man should get the job,” Roberts said. “You have to earn the opportunity, but you also have to perform, right? Eddie understands that. I think right now we just need players to be fully committed, perform, and then let things take care of themselves.”

Here is all the information about Díaz’s final rehab outing:

How did he perform?

Díaz threw 15 pitches (11 strikes) and completed a scoreless ninth inning. He escaped a two-out situation after surrendering a double to fellow rehabbing player Miguel Andujar, which had an exit velocity of 104.3 mph. Out of the 8 swings against his pitches, he generated no whiffs—6 swings on his slider and 2 on his four-seam fastball.

What did they say?

Although the underlying numbers of Díaz’s scoreless inning were not ideal, he managed to record three outs in his current state, which is exactly what the Dodgers wanted to see.

“Quality pitches, getting outs, that’s about it,” Roberts said. “In the playoffs, every inning is a high-leverage situation.”

What’s next?

The Dodgers saw enough on Wednesday to decide to bring Díaz back for the final nine games of the regular season. He will initially pitch in low-leverage spots, but if he performs well, he could earn higher-leverage opportunities.

Anything else?

On Thursday, the Dodgers bolstered their bullpen by activating trade-deadline acquisition Kris Bubic from the 60-day injured list. The left-hander pitched a scoreless inning in his team debut, starting his bid for a spot in the Dodgers’ postseason bullpen.

Roberts indicated that Edgardo Henriquez, after imaging on his back showed a mild strain, is still expected to return for the playoffs. With Díaz’s uncertainty, if Henriquez is healthy, he could be an option to close games in the postseason.

Last year’s postseason closer, Roki Sasaki, may also take on a similar key role this year after being activated from the 15-day injured list due to a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. However, the Dodgers will continue to stretch him out as a starter for now while evaluating the team’s needs.