Alexis Diaz Back From Injured List, Not The Set Closer
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Tuesday that they activated right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list prior to their game against the visiting Seattle Mariners. However, manager Terry Francona said that Diaz won't be the set closer upon his activation. The skipper said it's fair to pitch Diaz "when it makes sense." Diaz could get the closer job back eventually this year, but the Reds have been pleased with Emilio Pagan's early-season performance -- 1.23 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, four saves and five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Diaz not only injured his hamstring in spring training, but he was all over the place with his control and his mechanics were out of whack. Expect the Puerto Rican reliever to start out in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen before eventually being moved to a more high-leverage role. He's still worth stashing in fantasy for save opps this year.
No Decision Yet On When Alexis Diaz Will Be Activated
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is nearing a return, as he threw 18 pitches on Sunday in Triple-A Louisville. Still, manager Terry Francona said there's no decision on when Diaz will be activated. Francona said, "it was an encouraging sign to see him throw 14 of 18 strikes yesterday, but we've got some things to figure out". Last season, Diaz struggled at times as he had a walk rate of 12.8 percent, a career low 8.79 K/9, and only a 32.7 percent ground ball rate to go along with his 3.99 ERA and 4.57 FIP. Fantasy managers should expect him to take over closer responsibilities when he does return but may want to limit expectations, as Emilio Pagan has logged four saves and has a 1.23 ERA to start the 2025 season.
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (hamstring) has reported to the Reds clubhouse and is nearing a return. According to Charles Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Magazine, Diaz does not know when he will be activated off the 15-day injured list, but the reliever "feels ready to go." Diaz has made five rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He has appeared in each of the past two games. Over his last two outings, Diaz has given up three hits and two runs and struck out four batters. Across the five total rehab innings, he has posted a modest 5.40 ERA with a 2.00 WHIP. Last season, Diaz struggled at times and finished the campaign with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. When Diaz returns, fantasy managers should expect him to see most of the save opportunities, but may not be given a long leash, if these struggles arise again.
Alexis Diaz To Work On Back-To-Back Days On Rehab Assignment
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) will throw on back-to-back days over the next two days on his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. Diaz struggled mightily with his command in spring training before suffering a hamstring injury in camp that landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican hasn't been much better in the minors during his rehab assignment, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking four and striking out four in three innings with the Bats. The fact that the Reds are having Diaz go on back-to-back days is likely an indication that he's getting close to coming off the IL. However, even if he rejoins Cincy's bullpen soon, fantasy managers should expect the former closer to be eased into low-leverage situations given his struggles with command so far this year.
Alexis Diaz Might Not Return To Closer Role When Activated From Injured List
Cincinnati Reds reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) might not return to the closer role when activated from the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Diaz struggled with command issues this spring and was placed on the injured list with hamstring inflammation. The 28-year-old began a rehab assignment on Friday and pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Louisville but walked two of the first three batters he faced. It's unclear if Diaz will return as the Reds closer right away once activated as the Reds are expected to ease him back into action. "I think he would want to put him in the right spots early and maybe not throw him to the wolves right away," said Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson. "But you never know. Just trying to get him back here is the most important part." The Reds will likely continue to use a bullpen by committee for saves with Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, and Scott Barlow until Diaz is healthy and ready to reclaim the closer role.
Alexis Diaz To Begin Rehab Assignment This Weekend
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment and pitch for High-A Dayton on Friday and again on Sunday. Diaz is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on April 8, but whether that actually happens will likely depend on how his hamstring feels this weekend and how he looks on the mound after struggling in spring training before straining his left hamstring. The 28-year-old's mechanics were all out of whack in camp, but if he can get his control/command back under control, he's still Cincy's best option for saves in 2025. However, that doesn't mean he'll be closing games right away for the Reds when he comes off the IL. Diaz should be stashed in all fantasy formats, but his leash will be short if he falters for Francona. Emilio Pagan is the team's top closing option in the meantime.
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) threw live batting practice on Tuesday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. Diaz displayed terrible control in spring training and then injured his hamstring, which landed him on the 15-day injured to begin the 2025 regular season. The 28-year-old is already throwing to live hitters and is eligible to come off the IL on April 8, but it's unclear if he'll be ready by then or if the Reds are even comfortable throwing him back into their big-league bullpen by then. After recording the team's first save chance early on, right-hander Emilio Pagan is manager Terry Francona's clear preferred choice for the ninth inning with Diaz sidelined, but Tony Santillan is also a very trusted weapon in high-leverage situations. It's quite possible that Diaz is eased into lower-leverage situations out of the 'pen in Cincy when he does make his season debut.
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is set to open the season on the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The 28-year-old reliever sustained a hamstring injury early in camp, and it appears he isn't entirely over it. It's possible the hamstring is to explain for how shaky he's been this spring -- owning a ghastly 13.50 ERA in 3.1 Cactus League innings. For now, one of Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Graham Ashcraft or Scott Barlow could pick up save chances in Diaz's stead. All three could be mixed and matched in high-leverage situations if manager Terry Francona opts to go in that direction. This bullpen situation will be one to monitor.
Alexis Diaz To Pitch In Minor-League Game On Tuesday
The Cincinnati Reds will have right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz pitch in a minor-league game in camp on Tuesday after another rough outing in the Cactus League on Saturday in which he gave up five runs on three hits while walking three in just one-third of an inning. The 28-year-old dealt with a hamstring injury early in camp and also developed a cut on his right thumb during his outing on Saturday. The Reds are hoping that he'll be able to iron out his issues before Opening Day arrives next Thursday, but fantasy managers can't be so certain. Diaz was expected to be Cincy's primary closer entering the 2025 season, but his struggles this spring could open the door for the likes of Emilio Pagan, Taylor Rogers, Tony Santillan and Scott Barlow in the ninth inning. Diaz has become a shaky No. 2 fantasy closer for those that have yet to draft.
Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz (hamstring) had a solid live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday and has been cleared to pitch again in Cactus League action in the coming days. It's good news for Diaz after he suffered a mild hamstring injury while doing fielding drills late last month. As long as the 28-year-old doesn't have a setback with his hamstring once he gets back into spring games, he'll be ready to go for Opening Day at the end of the month. Although the Puerto Rican right-hander has 65 saves the last two years for the Reds, he's only ranked as RotoBaller's No. 17 fantasy closer going into the 2025 season. That's because he'll probably be on a shorter leash in the ninth inning this year after the velocity on his fastball dropped again, which in turn caused his strikeout rate to fall to 22.7%. Combine that with a 12.8% walk rate and you have the recipe for inconsistency late in games.
Alexis Díaz
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Reds
