ALEXIS DÍAZ NEWS

How Reds' Alexis Díaz went from longtime minor-leaguer to elite MLB closer overnight

Alexis Díaz toiled in the minors for seven years and was mostly known as Edwin's brother. Now? "Every time he goes out there it feels like,...

AUGUST 24, 2023

Perfect for save No. 34 Diaz picked up the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Angels. He struck out one over a clean inning.

Impact Diaz notched his first save since Aug. 7 -- his longest stretch without a save this season -- by registering a perfect ninth frame. Though Diaz hasn't been a save contributor as of late, he picked up a win in each of his previous two appearances and hasn't allowed a hit in the past 3.2 innings of action. Despite the drought, Diaz remains MLB's leader in saves, and he boasts a 2.30 ERA and a 75:24 K:BB across 54.2 innings.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Well rested, picks up win Diaz (5-4) picked up Saturday's win over the Blue Jays. He struck out one over one inning.

Impact Diaz pitched for the just the second time in the last nine days and benefitted from Christian Encarnacion-Strand's walk-off home run. Reds manager David Bell had the luxury of bringing a well-rested Diaz into a scoreless tie in the ninth inning to face the heart of Toronto's order. Like several other overworked members of the Cincinnati bullpen, Diaz endured a tough patch early in the month, but a stretch of relative inactivity appears to have renewed the closer.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up win Diaz (4-4) issued one walk over 1.2 shutout innings during Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Pirates. He struck out one and earned a win.

Impact Diaz entered a tie game in the eighth inning and kept the Pirates off the board to force the game into extras. He through just 13 of 23 pitches for strikes but still picked up his first victory since June 28. Diaz lowered his ERA to 2.39 with a 73:24 K:BB through 52.2 innings.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Converts save Monday Diaz walked two batters in a scoreless inning against Miami on Monday. He struck out one and earned a save.

Impact Diaz got into trouble by walking the first two batters he faced but escaped the jam to close out the 5-2 win. It was the first time he walked multiple batters since June 20. Diaz has been shakier than usual lately, yielding five runs (four earned) over his last seven appearances. Despite that, he owns a strong 2.34 ERA while converting 33 of 34 saves through 50 innings this season.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in 10th Diaz (3-3) took the loss Friday against the Nationals. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out three without a walk over 1.2 innings.

Impact After retiring the side in order in the ninth to preserve the tie, Diaz returned for the 10th. He couldn't get through the extra frame as Lane Thomas smacked a two-run homer on Diaz's 32nd pitch of the night. Reds manager David Bell asked a lot of Diaz in this one and the right-hander fell a little short, but if anyone deserves a mulligan, it's Diaz. He still has just one blown save on the year compared to 32 successful save conversions.

AUGUST 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 32nd save Diaz struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Cubs on Monday.

Impact Diaz faced the top of Chicago's order with Cincinnati clinging to a one-run ninth-inning and made things look easy, throwing all nine of his pitches for a strike to retire the side in order. The fireballer finished July having converted all 10 of his save opportunities, allowing just three earned runs over 11.1 innings and posting an 11:1 K:BB. Diaz has emerged as one of the league's elite closers in his second big-league campaign, leading the majors with 32 saves and posting a 12.9 K/9 over 50 appearances.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs four-out save Diaz earned the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Dodgers, pitching 1.1 innings without putting a runner on base. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Impact Diaz was on the mound when James Outman logged a stolen base with two outs in the eighth inning, but that was the only blemish in an otherwise clean performance. This was Diaz's ninth save in July and his 31st of the season. The right-hander continues to pitch well in the closer role, posting a 2.14 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 67:20 K:BB through 46.1 innings this season.

JULY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Labors in one-out save Diaz allowed a hit and a hit-by-pitch but recorded the final out to earn the save Tuesday against the Brewers.

Impact The Reds closer was called upon with two outs in the ninth inning after Daniel Duarte was unable to maintain a 4-0 lead. Diaz struggled to record the final out, as he gave up an infield single and plunked Willy Adames in the head before inducing a flyout to end the game. The right-hander secured his 30th save of the season in the end, but he's now allowed two runs on five hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch while recording just four outs in his past three outings. Diaz has made seven appearances in the last 10 days, which could prompt manager David Bell to look elsewhere should a save opportunity arise Wednesday.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Monday Diaz (3-2) picked up the loss to Milwaukee on Monday. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk without retiring a batter.

Impact This was not a save opportunity for Diaz, who entered a tied game in the bottom of the ninth. He walked the leadoff batter on four pitches and gave up consecutive singles for Milwaukee's walkoff win. It was the second straight game in which Diaz has allowed runs to score.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works for 29th save Diaz picked up the save in Saturday's 4-2 victory over the Diamondbacks. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over one inning.

Impact Diaz struggled to close out Saturday's contest, serving up a solo homer to Corbin Carroll while also allowing a double to Christian Walker in the ninth, but he managed to secure his 29th save of the season. The outing marked his first earned run allowed since July 3 (seven innings), a stretch in which he's a perfect 8-of-8 in save opportunities.

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nails down 28th save Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 28th save of the season in a 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact He needed only 10 pitches (seven strikes) to get the job done, generating three groundball outs. The Cincinnati closer sits second in the majors in saves, two behind leader Camilo Doval's 30, and since the beginning of June, Diaz has posted a 2.01 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 22.1 innings while converting 15 of 16 save chances.

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 27th save Diaz earned a save against the Giants on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Impact Diaz had no trouble protecting a one-run ninth-inning lead for Cincinnati, retiring all three batters he faced on 11 total pitches. The dynamic closer fanned two of those hitters, marking the 20th time over 44 outings on the campaign that he's struck out multiple batters. Diaz has blossomed into one of the game's elite closers in his second big-league season, posting a 1.90 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB over 41.2 frames while ranking second in the league with 27 saves.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unable to strand runner Diaz allowed one hit and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Milwaukee.

Impact The game was setting up as a save opportunity for Diaz, as the Reds entered the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead. However, setup reliever Lucas Sims allowed a run and left with a runner on second base. Diaz was summoned earlier than usual but was unable to prevent the inherited runner from scoring, as Andruw Monaserio's flare to right field landed in play. The All-Star closer has a better-than-average 80.5 percent strand rate.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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JULY 10, 2023

Tallies 26th save Diaz earned a save against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over one inning.

Impact Diaz came on in the ninth inning with Cincinnati holding a three-run lead. He struck out Jesse Winker and Christian Yelich before giving up a single to William Contreras, but that hit proved harmless when Diaz got Willy Adames to ground out to end the game. Surprisingly, the talented closer had gone eight straight outings without picking up multiple strikeouts before Sunday, but he had still gotten the job done with five saves in six chances along with a 2.25 ERA during that span. Diaz has blown only one save opportunity all season and is tied for the MLB lead with 26 saves overall.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up 25th save Diaz picked up the save Thursday against the Nationals. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out one over one inning.

Impact Diaz didn't get off to a great start after entering the game in the bottom of the 10th with a two-run lead, allowing Alex Call to advance to third on a wild pitch before giving up an RBI single to Lane Thomas. The right-hander then hit Jeimer Candelario with a pitch in the next at-bat before finally settling down and retiring the next three hitters to secure his 25th save, tying him with Camilo Doval for the National League lead. Diaz has now converted his last three save attempts though he has allowed at least one hit in each of his last four appearances.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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JULY 5, 2023

Picks up save Diaz allowed one hit in a scoreless inning while earning a save over Washington on Monday.

Impact Diaz worked around a one-out single to pick up his 24th save of the year Monday. It was his first scoreless appearance since June 28 after allowing a run in each of his last two outings. The 26-year-old lowered his season ERA to 2.13 with a 58:19 K:BB through 38 innings. However, he's punched out just one batter over his last four frames.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Escapes with 23rd save Diaz picked up the save Sunday against the Padres. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning.

Impact After blowing the save in his last outing, Diaz struggled to close out Sunday's contest. He entered the match with a 4-2 lead and retired the first two batters he faced but allowed a runner to score after back-to-back hits and stranded the would-be tying run at second to secure the save. Diaz now holds the fourth most saves in MLB and owns a 2.19 ERA and 58:19 K:BB through 38 appearances (37 innings).

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Snaps saves streak Friday Diaz blew the save in Friday's 7-5 victory over San Diego, allowing one run on two hits over one inning. He didn't record a strikeout or walk.

Impact Diaz surrendered the lead in the ninth on a sacrifice fly, ending an MLB-best streak of 27 straight saves, but the Reds offense bailed their closer out in extra innings, so there was no harm done. Diaz still boasts elite numbers (2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 14.2 K/9) across 37 appearances this season and is now 22-for-23 in save opportunities. He remains one of the best relief pitchers in the game and is a top-tier fantasy option moving forward.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Locks down 22nd save Diaz picked up the save Tuesday against Baltimore. He allowed one walk while logging a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

Impact Diaz is now a perfect 22-for-22 in save chances this year, putting him fourth in the league. The 26-year-old right-hander has been dominant, pitching to a 1.85 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 57:19 K:BB through 34 innings. With Cincinnati surging, Diaz should remain a high-end closing option for fantasy purposes.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nails down another Reds win Diaz picked up the save Friday against Atlanta. He allowed one walk without a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Impact The Reds erased an early five-run deficit and Diaz was there at the end to secure the club's 12th consecutive win. With that, Diaz is still perfect in save chances this season at 21-for-21. He's stepped out of his brother's shadow and become one of the game's elite closers over the first half of 2023. The stability he's provided to the Cincinnati bullpen should earn him his first career All-Star selection.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up another save Tuesday Diaz allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three in the ninth to earn the save over the Rockies on Tuesday.

Impact Diaz did not have a sharp outing but was still able to escape with his sixth save since June 11 and his 20th of the season. Tuesday's save vaulted him into a tie for second as Diaz continues to establish himself as one of the league's top closers. The 26-year-old now holds a 2.03 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 55:15 K:BB in 31 innings. He's thrown 51 pitches over the last two days and should not be expected to be available to pitch Wednesday, likely leaving closing duties up to either Buck Farmer or Lucas Sims.

JUNE 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Escapes with save Diaz allowed two hits in a scoreless inning Monday, striking out two and earning a save over the Rockies.

Impact Diaz put runners on first and third with no outs but managed to lock in and finish off the 5-4 win. He's now converted all 19 of his save chances while registering a 1.80 ERA and a 52:13 K:BB through 30 innings. However, he's run into some light trouble recently, yielding two runs on four hits and two walks over his last 5.2 frames.

JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE