ALEXIS DÍAZ NEWS

Shohei Ohtani, Yordan Álvarez headline Ben Verlander's MLB Team of the Week

Ben Verlander shares his first MLB Team of the Week for the 2023 season, headlined by stars Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Álvarez.

APRIL 3, 2023

Secures first save Diaz picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning during Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Pirates. He didn't allow a baserunner and recorded one strikeout.

Impact Diaz delivered a scoreless frame Saturday in a non-save situation and followed up with his first save of the season in Sunday's series finale. The 26-year-old is Cincinnati's best reliever by a wide margin and should see the bulk of the save chances this year, though he's also likely to be used in some high-leverage spots before the ninth inning.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Perfect in 2023 debut Diaz pitched a clean ninth inning in Saturday's win over the Pirates, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Impact Don't be alarmed to see Diaz pitching in a non-save situation, as he didn't pitch on Opening Day and the Reds were off on Friday, so he needed to get some work in. It's difficult to trust manager David Bell to use Diaz as a full-time closer, but it appears he's getting that usage right now.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ranking MLB's best 26-and-under pitchers

After ranking all 30 MLB organizations by their 26-and-under talent, here are our top-26 young pitchers.

MARCH 28, 2023

What Alexis Diaz Trade Package Might Look Like for New York Mets Find out what the trade package for Alexis Diaz might look like for the Mets.

MARCH 24, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

MLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. 14 Cincinnati Reds

The Reds check in at No. 14 in our 26-and-under talent rankings, buoyed by one of MLB's hardest-throwing pitchers and a potential superstar...

MARCH 7, 2023

Confirmed as closer Manager David Bell reluctantly confirmed Diaz as the Reds' closer to begin the season when asked about the matter Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. "I guess the...

Impact Bell's quote is important, but his managerial tendencies are still going to be a little frustrating for fantasy players when he sees a situation where Diaz needs to put out a fire in the seventh inning. Even so, Bell's comments represent a more affirmative statement about his plans at closer than he's typically provided during his tenure as Reds manager. Diaz's ascension to closing duties comes in part due to the Reds' lack of reliable alternatives, though he certainly earned the role on merit as a rookie in 2022. The 26-year-old converted 10 of 14 save chances while providing a 1.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 83:33 K:BB across 63.2 innings in his first taste of the big leagues.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MLB columnist: New York Mets pursued Cincinnati Reds pitcher Alexis Diaz, should try again SNY's Andy Martino wrote Wednesday that the Mets should call the Reds again about relief pitcher Alexis Diaz, Edwin's younger brother.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • CINCINNATI.COM

Earns win Tuesday Diaz (7-3) earned the win after he pitched 1.1 innings scoreless innings, striking out two batters in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

Impact Diaz entered the game with two outs in the top of the eighth inning and the score tied at 2-2, getting Ian Happ to fly out to end the frame. He returned for the top of the ninth, striking out two batters before earning the win when Spencer Steer ripped a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the inning. Diaz now sports a 1.84 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 83 strikeouts over 63.2 frames in 59 appearances this season. The reliever appears to be on track to be one of the best late-inning options in fantasy next year and has gone 10-for-14 on save chances with 13 holds in 2022.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yields run, earns save Diaz allowed one run on two walks in one inning while picking up a save over the Cubs on Monday.

Impact Diaz struggled with his command and nearly let the Cubs make a late comeback but he escaped with his 10th save of the year. The right-handed rookie has given up three earned runs over his last 12 appearances since his last blown save Aug. 23. Despite the shaky outing, Diaz owns a 1.88 ERA with an 81:33 K:BB through 58 appearances.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in extra frame Diaz (6-3) allowed an unearned run on one walk and one hit while striking out two across 1.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Pirates.

Impact Diaz entered the game in the ninth inning and kept the score knotted at 3-3. He remained on the mound for the 10th inning and allowed a soft bloop hit to Kevin Newman to surrender the winning run. Despite the minor setback, Diaz has maintained a 1.80 ERA with a 12:5 K:BB across 10 innings in September. He should remain locked into the closer role in the final week of the season.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up ninth save Diaz earned the save Sunday against Milwaukee, striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 2-1 victory.

Impact Facing the heart of the Brewers' lineup, Diaz needed 14 pitches to fan all three batters. It was his ninth save of the season and third since Sept. 15. Since the All-Star break he's posted a 1.37 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB in 26.1 innings while closing out six games and holding opposing batters to a .128 batting average.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Two-out save Diaz tallied the final two outs without allowing a baserunner to earn the save Wednesday against Boston.

Impact Diaz entered the game with runners on first and second to protect a four-run lead. However, he induced a double-play ball to end the game and earn his eighth save of the season. Since the start of September, Diaz has allowed two earned runs across 7.1 innings while also picking up two wins and two saves. He's served as Cincinnati's primary closer since early August and has maintained a 1.84 ERA with a 76:30 K:BB across 58.2 innings for the campaign.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Survives for seventh save Diaz picked up a save against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over one inning.

Impact St. Louis managed only one run and one hit against a trio of Cincinnati pitchers through eight frames, and Diaz was asked to preserve a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. He allowed a shift-busting single to begin the frame and then walked Tommy Edman to put the tying runs on base before retiring Paul Goldschmidt on a flyout. Nolan Arenado then hit a pop-fly single to load the bases, and Albert Pujols followed with a sacrifice fly, but Diaz got Corey Dickerson to ground out to end the game and earn the save. Despite the shaky outing, Diaz has looked like the Reds' closer of the future, posting a 1.93 ERA and 75:27 K:BB over 56 innings. He's likely to get most of Cincinnati's save chances down the stretch, though those may be limited given the team's poor record.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches five-out save Diaz allowed one hit and struck out four batters over 1.2 innings while earning a save over the Cubs on Sunday.

Impact Diaz took the mound with the bases jammed in the eighth inning and promptly struck out the next two batters to escape the jam. He then worked out of another one-out threat in the ninth to pick up his fifth save of the year. The right-handed rookie lowered his season ERA to 1.83 with a 60:22 K:BB through 44.1 innings. Diaz has given up just one run over his last 16 appearances.

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches fourth save Diaz struck out one in two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run to record his fourth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Marlins.

Impact Hunter Strickland got the save the night before but gave up a run doing it, so Diaz got the call Tuesday after Graham Ashcraft served up a one-out double in the ninth. Diaz has been tagged for only one earned run in his last 12 appearances, posting a 0.84 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB through 10.2 innings over that stretch, and Edwin's little brother could wrest the closer role away from Strickland down the stretch if he continues out-performing him.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bags save in come-from-behind win Diaz claimed a save in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday in the Reds' 4-3 win over the Yankees. He issued a walk and recorded a strikeout in the 13-pitch appearance.

Impact Though Hunter Strickland was available after he hadn't worked since Saturday, he was bypassed for the save chance after squandering his most recent chance June 6. Manager David Bell instead turned to Diaz, who retired three of the four batters he faced to close out the come-from-behind win after the Reds plated four of their runs in the top of the ninth. While Diaz possesses the best skills of any pitcher in the Cincinnati bullpen, Bell's reluctance to commit to a full-time closer since Raisel Iglesias was traded to the Angels following the 2020 season suggests that Diaz and Strickland may continue to share the ninth-inning role.

JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IL Diaz (biceps) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Diaz will make his return to the team Friday as expected, rejoining the team after missing a little over three weeks while nursing a biceps injury. The reliever owns a 2.40 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 36 punchouts and two saves over 30 innings in 27 appearances this season. Diaz should work his way back into a high-leverage role pretty quickly, potentially contending for saves down the stretch this season.

JULY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to return Friday Diaz (biceps) is expected to be activated off the 15-day injured list Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Diaz has been out since June 19 while dealing with a biceps issue, but he faced live hitters Wednesday and is now on track to return from the injured list Friday. The 25-year-old will likely work his way back into a high-leverage role in the Reds' bullpen once healthy.

JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes on hitters Diaz (biceps) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact On tap next for Diaz should be a brief minor-league rehab assignment before he returns from the 15-day injured list. Hunter Strickland has seemingly built some security as the Reds' primary closer while Diaz has been sidelined with right biceps tendinitis, but Diaz should still have a high-leverage role in the bullpen waiting for him once he's activated.

JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to throw bullpen Sunday Diaz (biceps) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Diaz is scheduled to throw live BP on Wednesday following Sunday's throwing session, so he should remain on the 15-day injured list until at least late next week. The right-hander could take on a setup role once he returns to action since Hunter Strickland has performed well as the Reds' closer recently.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Friday Diaz (biceps) will require at least two more throwing sessions before he's cleared to return, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact The Reds initially hoped Diaz would be able to be reinstated from the injured list Friday, but he'll instead toss a bullpen Saturday prior to throwing a live BP on Monday. Once the right-hander is officially activated, it's possible he takes on a setup role since manager David Bell expressed confidence in Hunter Strickland as the Reds' closer last weekend.

JUNE 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could be activated Friday Diaz (biceps) could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list Friday when first eligible to be activated, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Diaz was scheduled to throw off a mound Sunday in San Francisco for the first time since landing on the IL on June 19. Assuming Diaz comes out of the side session feeling no worse for the wear, he'll throw again Wednesday in what could be his final test before he returns from the IL. Though Diaz was part of the Reds' muddled closing mix prior to landing on the shelf, he could have to settle for a setup role upon his return after manager David Bell suggested Sunday that Hunter Strickland could get a long look in the ninth-inning role.

JUNE 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bullpen session Saturday Diaz (biceps) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact The 25-year-old landed on the injured list last weekend with right biceps tendinitis, but he resumed playing catch Wednesday and is set to retake the mound Saturday. Diaz is eligible to return from the injured list late next week, and he may not end up missing much more than the 15-day minumum.

JUNE 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Wednesday Diaz (biceps) played catch Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Diaz was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right biceps tendinitis, but it's encouraging to see him throwing off flat ground several days after the transaction. Although biceps tendinitis can sometimes lead to more serious issues, the right-hander has made good progress early in his IL stint and doesn't currently appear to be dealing with a particularly severe injury.

JUNE 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE