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: 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: 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.
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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.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Implodes in loss
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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: 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: Will not close right away
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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.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Activated from 15-day injured list
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The Reds activated Diaz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Diaz has been shelved with a strained hamstring that threw his mechanics out of whack, but he's been deemed ready to go after making five rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville. The reliever was tagged for four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out eight over five innings during the stint, so the Reds might not entrust Diaz with the closer job right out of the chute. That said, manager Terry Francona has indicated a desire for Diaz to regain his closer job, so the 28-year-old looks like the best bet for saves in the Reds' bullpen over the long haul.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Could be activated Tuesday
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Diaz (hamstring) rejoined the Reds on Sunday, and manager Terry Francona suggested that while the right-hander could be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the Mariners, an official decision has yet to be made, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Cincinnati seemingly has a spot on the 26-man active roster ready to go for Diaz, as the team placed reliever Sam Moll (shoulder) on the 15-day IL on Monday and didn't immediately announce a corresponding move. Diaz, who suffered a left hamstring strain late in spring training, made five appearances during his recent rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out eight over five innings. Despite the so-so results, Diaz told Goldsmith that he thought he threw the ball well over his final few outings with Louisville, and the 28-year-old feels that the mechanical adjustments he's made while on the shelf have left him prepared to find success if the Reds turn to him as their closer. Francona told Goldsmith last week that he wants Diaz to be the team's closer, but it's unclear if the skipper will immediately deploy Diaz in high-leverage spots once he's activated, or if he'll be eased into such situations.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Ready for back-to-back appearances
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Diaz (hamstring) will make back-to-back appearances with Triple-A Louisville on Friday and Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
This sets Diaz up for a return early next week, assuming he bounces back well from the back-to-backs. Reds manager Terry Francona has said on multiple occasions that he wants to get Diaz back in the closer role eventually, but it's not a lock that the right-hander will immediately reclaim ninth-inning duties. The hamstring injury affected Diaz's command and control in spring training, as evidenced by his five walks in 3.1 Cactus League innings.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Staying at Triple-A for now
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Reds manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Diaz (hamstring) is expected to remain at Triple-A Louisville before being activated from the injured list, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Francona said this before Diaz threw an inning for the Bats on Sunday. Diaz has struggled with command since suffering a hamstring injury early in spring training, and the plan is for him to pitch Wednesday and Thursday for Louisville. The back-to-back-day sequence is typically a tell that teams are preparing a pitcher to be activated. Francona also mentioned that he wants Diaz to be the team's closer, but that Diaz is not ready physically for the job in his current state.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Makes second rehab outing
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Diaz (hamstring) allowed one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.
It was rehab day for Louisville, which featured starter Andrew Abbott (shoulder) making his second rehab start and Diaz's second rehab outing. The reliever has already healed from a left hamstring strain, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, but he might get another rehab appearance before the Reds activate him. Diaz is not guaranteed to resume his duties as Cincinnati's closer.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Needs multiple rehab outings
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Manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Diaz (hamstring) will make at least a couple more appearances on his rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
The right-hander began the rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville on Friday and delivered a scoreless frame, but the Reds want to see him get a few outings in the minors before making his season debut in the majors. Diaz remains the favorite to close games once activated, though he could see lower-leverage chances early on to ease him into the role.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Throws live batting practice
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Diaz (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Diaz continues to work on his mechanics after they were thrown off following a hamstring injury. The reliever is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 8, but there has not been an established timetable for his return yet. Reds manager Terry Francona has indicated he would like Diaz to get his closer job back when he's healthy and his mechanics are in order. Emilio Pagan has recorded the Reds' lone save so far, while Ian Gibaut has a blown save.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Working on mechanics
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Diaz (hamstring) is working with coaches on his mechanics, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Apparently, the hamstring injury impacted the reliever's mechanics, which led to command and control issues. "Stability with his front leg is probably the biggest thing," Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said of Diaz. "Then, incorporating that into his delivery, where that becomes comfortable and almost second nature." It's uncertain when Diaz will be ready to rejoin the team, or if he'll automatically resume his role as the team's closer.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Goes on IL
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The Reds placed Diaz (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Diaz's placement on the IL is retroactive to Monday, so he could be activated as soon as April 8, assuming he's fully moved past his hamstring injury by then. The 28-year-old has notched at least 25 saves in consecutive seasons, but he struggled to keep his walks in check in both years and saw his strikeout rate dip to 22.7 percent in 2024. The control problems cropped up again this spring, which put Diaz's status as the Reds' closer on shaky ground even before he was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation. The Reds are seemingly prepared to take a committee approach to the closer position to begin the season, and if a reliever is quickly able to gain the trust of manager Terry Francona in the late innings, Diaz may not be in the mix for save chances once he's healthy.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Out with hamstring injury
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Diaz was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation Sunday and will begin the season on the injured list, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The right-hander had struggles with his command throughout spring training with five walks and two hit batters in four appearances, and he'll now be unavailable due to the hamstring issue. It's unclear how long Diaz is expected to be sidelined, with Scott Barlow, Taylor Rogers and Graham Ashcraft the likely candidates to fill in at closer for the Reds.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: May not close games
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Diaz had command issues in an outing against White Sox minor leaguers Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. In a subsequent report from Wittenmyer, Reds manager Terry Francona was not ready to endorse Diaz as the Reds' closer.
"I think we still have some work to do," Francona said. "We want to make sure he's got his legs under him, with his delivery and everything. We know what he can do. We just want to make sure he's ready to do it." Diaz pitched a scoreless inning Friday but only 10 of 20 pitches were deemed strikes. He hadn't pitched a clean inning all spring before a poor outing March 15 prompted he and pitching coach Derek Johnson to work on his delivery. Wittenmyer named Graham Ashcraft as a potential candidate to replace Diaz in the ninth inning. Francona expects Diaz to throw one more inning Sunday in the team's final Cactus League game before camp breaks.
