The Dodgers optioned Diaz to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
The move corresponds with the Dodgers recalling Paul Gervase from Triple-A. Diaz has struggled out of the bullpen in three of his last five outings, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings over that span. He'll look to regain his control in Triple-A and could return to the majors should the Dodgers need right-handed depth out of the bullpen.
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Dodgers' Alexis Diaz: Gets call in ninth inning Friday
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Diaz earned a hold against the Padres on Friday, tossing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning while allowing one hit and striking out two batters.
Despite the fact that Diaz hadn't notched a save or even a hold over his first seven outings with the Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts summoned him Friday in an intensely high-leverage situation -- Diaz inherited a one-run lead in the ninth inning against the Padres, who entered the contest one game ahead of Los Angeles for first place in the NL West. Though Diaz allowed a one-out single to Jackson Merrill, the veteran reliever impressed overall, striking out the other two batters he faced while firing 14 of 20 pitches for strikes. The Dodgers' late-innings bullpen situation remains unsettled with closer Tanner Scott (elbow) along with top setup men Kirby Yates (back), Michael Kopech (knee) and Brock Stewart (shoulder) all on the IL, so Roberts has been mixing things up in recent weeks. However, Scott, Yates and Kopech are all nearing returns, so Diaz may not be the best pickup for speculative save opportunities moving forward.
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Dodgers' Alexis Diaz: Nabs first victory as Dodger
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Diaz (1-0) earned the win over Cincinnati on Tuesday, needed just eight pitches to complete 1.1 perfect innings.
Diaz got the call against his former team with two outs in the seventh inning of a 4-4 game. He inherited the speedy Elly De La Cruz at second base, but Diaz needed just two pitches to get Austin Hays to ground out. The righty reliever returned for the eighth and retired the side in order on just six pitches, and then moved into position for the win as a result of Los Angeles scoring in the top of the ninth. Diaz was traded from the Reds to the Dodgers in late May after a rough start to the campaign that resulted in a demotion to the minors. Since joining Los Angeles, he's gotten into three games, tossing 3.1scoreless frames with two punchouts and no walks.
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Dodgers' Alexis Diaz: Back in Los Angeles
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The Dodgers recalled Diaz from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
With Tanner Scott set to miss at least the next 15 days with elbow inflammation, Diaz will come up from the minors to claim the open bullpen spot. The 28-year-old has surrendered eight earned runs in just six MLB innings this season, so he'll likely be reserved for low-leverage situations with the Dodgers despite his previous experience as a closer in Cincinnati.
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Dodgers' Alexis Diaz: Going back to minors
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The Dodgers optioned Diaz to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Diaz's first stint with the Dodgers lasted only one day, and he did not make an appearance. The reliever's removal from the active roster frees up a spot for Tyler Glasnow (shoulder), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's game in Milwaukee.
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Dodgers' Alexis Diaz: Up from OKC
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The Dodgers recalled Diaz from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
Diaz hasn't shed his early-season struggles since being acquired by the Dodgers in May, giving up five earned runs in only 4.2 innings at Triple-A. Despite his performance, he'll grab a spot in Los Angeles' bullpen to work as a low-leverage option, replacing Julian Fernandez.
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Dodgers' Alexis Diaz: Poised for Dodgers debut
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The Dodgers are expected to call up Diaz from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The former Reds closer was acquired by the Dodgers in late May and has made just six appearances for Oklahoma City since being traded, giving up five earned runs with a 3:7 K:BB over 4.2 innings. Diaz should fill a low-leverage role early on for the Dodgers but could work his way into higher-leverage spots. However, the 28-year-old's recent body of work at Triple-A doesn't provide much evidence that he's rediscovered his All-Star form.
The Reds traded Diaz to the Dodgers on Thursday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Mike Villani, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Diaz dazzled during his rookie campaign, finishing the 2022 season with a 1.84 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 63.2 innings. Fast forward just three years later, and the 28-year-old righty is now struggling to be effective in Triple-A, where he owns a 4.61 ERA and 1.97 WHIP over 13.2 frames. The Dodgers organization has developed a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, so Diaz could certainly benefit from a change of scenery. However, he will first need to prove he's worthy of a big-league bullpen spot by turning things around at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Diaz allowed five runs on four hits and one walk over one inning in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He also hit a batter in a 6-0 loss.
Diaz entered the top of the ninth with the Reds trailing, 1-0, and a mission of keeping the game close to force St. Louis to expend its closer in the bottom of the frame. After an inning-opening hit batsman, the reliever got two outs before matters spiraled in the form of a single and three consecutive home runs. Diaz now has a 12.00 ERA over six innings (six outings) and has been rocked in two of his last three appearances.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Bound for Triple-A
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The Reds optioned Diaz to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.
Diaz was roughed up for five runs while recording just three outs in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals. He had allowed eight runs with a 3:5 K:BB across six frames in his six appearances since coming off the injured list April 15. Diaz will look to get back on track at Louisville, and Emilio Pagan will continue to serve as the Reds' primary closer.
Diaz allowed three runs on three hits and one walk over 1.1 innings in Monday's 6-3 loss to Miami. He also hit a batter.
Diaz stranded a pair of inherited runners to get out of the sixth inning but ran into trouble in the seventh, when pinch hitter Kyle Stowers took him deep for a three-run home run. It was the first time in four outings that Diaz was scored upon. The former closer has allowed four hits and four walks while striking two over four innings.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Secures Friday's win
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Diaz struck out one over a scoreless ninth inning in Friday's 8-3 win over the Orioles.
Diaz needed 15 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the heart of Baltimore's order. It wasn't a save situation nor was it a close game, but it was the former closer's first time pitching in the ninth inning since being activated off the injured list. Diaz was used in the sixth and seventh innings in his first two appearances. This could be the first tentative steps by manager Terry Francona to get Diaz back into the closer's role.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Makes season debut
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Diaz allowed two walks and struck out one over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's 8-4 win over Seattle.
Diaz, who was activated earlier in the day, made his season debut. He opened the sixth inning and walked two of the first three batters he faced. He threw 26 pitches (14 strikes), so the command and control issues that plagued him in spring training were evident Tuesday. It makes sense that manager Terry Francona doesn't want to put Diaz back in the closer's role yet.
Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Diaz will not be the team's set closer, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
The skipper plans to use Diaz, who was activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, "when it makes sense." There's a good chance Diaz will eventually get his closer job back if he pitches well, but Francona has been pleased with Emilio Pagan's performance and it sounds like Pagan will continue serving as the club's primary closer for the time being.
