The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially acquired right-hander Alexis Díaz from the Cincinnati Reds, according to a recent announcement from the team. In a move to accommodate this acquisition, righty Evan Phillips has been placed on the 60-day injured list, allowing Díaz to take a spot on the 40-man roster. Upon joining, Díaz will first report to the Dodgers’ training facilities in Arizona for additional work with the team’s pitching staff.
Díaz’s journey has been marked by significant ups and downs. Once hailed as a promising talent, he finished fifth in the voting for the 2022 Rookie of the Year and earned an All-Star selection in 2023. However, his performance has sharply declined this season, as evidenced by his troubling statistics. He had a rough stint with the Reds, allowing four home runs, walking 15.6% of batters, and recording a staggering 12.00 ERA across six appearances before being sent to Triple-A Louisville. His struggles continued in the minor leagues, where he maintained a 4.61 ERA but saw an even higher walk rate of 17.1%.
Before this year, Díaz’s average fastball speed was nearly 96 mph, but it has dropped to approximately 93 mph recently, contributing to his difficulties on the mound. These challenges have raised concerns about his long-term viability, making the acquisition a significant risk for the Dodgers. They have committed to covering Díaz’s remaining salary of $2.95 million, which will incur additional luxury tax costs.
In exchange for Díaz, the Reds will receive minor league right-hander Mike Villani. The 22-year-old Villani, a 13th-round draft pick from Long Beach State, has shown potential with a fastball that can reach 98 mph. However, injuries have limited his exposure in professional baseball, as he has pitched only two innings at the Rookie level.
While Díaz currently represents a project for the Dodgers, if they can help him regain his form, he could prove valuable in the coming seasons, being under club control for three more years via arbitration. The move reflects the Dodgers’ strategy of identifying and revitalizing promising talents despite recent struggles.
This acquisition could be an opportunity for Díaz to rejuvenate his career. The Dodgers’ rich resources and commitment to player development may offer him the support needed to return to form and contribute effectively to the team’s pitching rotation.