Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz is tinkering with his arm angle while recovering from neck inflammation on the injured list. Diaz exited his relief appearance against the Colorado Rockies with neck issues and threw a bullpen session Saturday. He expects to return when his 15-day IL stint concludes in early September.

The neck trouble follows a difficult first season in Los Angeles after signing a $69 million, three-year contract. Diaz has posted an 11.85 ERA and four blown saves in 16 games, attributing early struggles to a drop in his arm angle. He stated, "I think with a good arm angle, my fastball run way better than how I'm throwing right now." Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Diaz would not immediately reclaim the ninth-inning role upon his return, noting Tanner Scott has performed well.

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani is scheduled for another bullpen session during a three-game series at the Atlanta Braves, with a potential game return the following week if progress continues. Ohtani, 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, is building stamina as an opener. Andy Pages underwent surgery to stabilize a fractured left hand sustained after being hit by a pitch.

Will Smith will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday for a neck injury.