Alexis Diaz Traded to Dodgers from Reds, Reliever Was 2023 MLB All-Star

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Thursday that they acquired reliever Alexis Diaz from the Cincinnati Reds for pitching prospect Mike Villani.

The Dodgers have been beset by injuries in the pitching staff once again this season, with starters Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki and relievers Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips and Kirby Yates all on the injured list after suffering injuries this season.

They continue to win, in large part due to their fantastic offense and in spite of their pitching woes, with the pitching staff's 4.09 ERA ranking 21st in the majors.

As for Diaz, the 28-year-old was an All-Star in the 2023 season after registering a 3.07 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 86 strikeouts in 67.1 innings, posting 37 saves in 40 attempts.

He was solid last season as well, with a 3.99 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 55 strikeouts and 28 saves in 32 attempts.

He's had a rough 2025, however, after starting the season on the injured list as he worked to recover from a left hamstring injury. Upon his return, he registered a 12.00 ERA and 2.17 WHIP across six appearances before being sent down to Triple-A Louisville on May 1.

The hope, obviously, was that a stint away from the glare of the MLB spotlight might help him find his form. But he's continued to struggle with his command in the minors, and with Emilio Pagán holding down the closer role at the moment, the Reds have clearly decided it was time to abandon ship.

"Where he was two years ago, the first half of 2023, and where he is, he's obviously not where he needs to be," Cincy's president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, told reporters after the trade. "He's a great kid. It's just one of those where a change of scenery might help him. He's in Triple-A, and we have other guys we have brought up ahead of him. He wasn't going to be brought up tomorrow [for the open bullpen spot]. We felt like it was the right time to make this move. We ended up clearing a roster spot. We can reallocate some of the resources. We got a pitcher back that we like."

For the Dodgers, it's a low-risk move given their desperate need of arms and the modest price being paid, and it's one that could pay off in a major way if Diaz is able to get back on track.