Dodgers Reportedly Add Former Reds All-Star Closer To Injured Relief Corps
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According to Sonja Chen of MLB.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded minor league right-hander Mike Billani for Cincinnati Reds reliever Alexis Díaz on Thursday. Díaz was demoted earlier this month due to his poor performance at the beginning of this season.
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 26: Alexis Diaz #43 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 26, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 26: Alexis Diaz #43 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 26, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
Photo byDíaz was an All-Star in 2023, saving 37 games while posting a 3.07 ERA with the Reds. In the year prior, Díaz would finish in fifth place in National League Rookie of the Year voting after finishing the season with a 1.84 ERA.
Díaz struggled to be consistent this season and was demoted to Triple-A after only six appearances for the Reds with a 12.00 ERA. Once being demoted to Triple-A, Díaz began to right the ship with a 4.61 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 12 2/3 innings pitched. While that is nothing compared to his All-Star campaign, Díaz is showing some improvement as he is now headed for Los Angeles.
Díaz is joining a Dodgers bullpen that has been riddled with injuries in the early portion of the season, with Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates, and Michael Kopech on the injured list with various return dates. Díaz is a low-risk option with the upside of returning to his All-Star performance.
Kopech is slated to return in late May or early June, but the remainder are out for a good portion of the season. Díaz is under team control until 2027, and with the upside of his returning to form, the Dodgers may end up with an absolute steal for the back end of their bullpen.
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