Shohei Ohtani, Edwin Daz have things to prove as Dodgers evaluate playoff roles

With five weeks to go in the regular season, the Dodgers know they’ll eventually get Shohei Ohtani and Edwin Díaz back as healthy members of their stretch-run pitching staff.But with the playoffs nearing and the team’s roster still molding into shape, the exact role each right-hander will fill remains unclear –– leaving both with something to prove as they progress through their recoveries over the next several weeks.Saturday was a big day for Ohtani, who has been sidelined as a pitcher since early July because of a lingering knee injury, and Díaz, who last week went on the injured list for the second time this season because of what the team described as neck inflammation.Before the Dodgers’ game against the Pirates, Díaz threw his first bullpen session since his neck issue popped up on Monday.Ohtani, meanwhile, threw a simulated 30-pitch session of live batting practice against Will Smith, marking the first time he has faced hitters since his most recent pitching start on July 3.Those were important boxes for both pitchers to check off.

They also provided further clarity on when they might be ready to return.Manager Dave Roberts said Díaz could be activated as soon as he’s eligible at the beginning of September.

Ohtani, meanwhile, will likely throw one more live BP before rejoining the Dodgers’ rotation, at which point he will get stretched back out inning-by-inning over each outing he makes the rest of the year.“Everything from the coaches was really positive,” Roberts relayed when asked about Ohtani’s live BP session.“We’re getting there.

Today was a good day.”What is not known for now, however, is how Ohtani and Díaz will be used once the two-time defending champions begins finalizing their roster for another postseason push.On Saturday, Roberts left the door open to numerous possibilities, stopping well short of guaranteeing Díaz would return to the closer’s role or that Ohtani would make traditional, full-length starts in ...