Alexis Diaz has been optioned to Triple-A, but his replacement may be gas on the fire.
The Cincinnati Reds have made the decision to option their closer, Alexis Diaz, to Triple-A Louisville following a challenging start to the season. This move comes after Diaz struggled significantly, culminating in a five-run outing where he allowed three home runs, ultimately putting the game out of reach in a contest that was previously within one run. As a result of this performance, Diaz’s ERA skyrocketed to an alarming 12.00, raising serious concerns about his ability to continue performing at the major league level.
*Diaz’s Struggles*
Diaz’s difficulties on the mound were not entirely unexpected, as his underlying metrics had been signaling potential issues for some time. Specifically, his xFIP had been trending upward season by season since his debut in 2022, indicating that his performance might be unsustainable in the long term. Furthermore, Diaz’s BABIP sat at a remarkably low .211, which suggests that he might have been benefiting from good fortune and that his actual performance could be worse than his statistics indicate. Diaz’s minus-8 Pitching Run Value places him near the bottom percentile of the league, underscoring the extent of his struggles.
One of the primary factors contributing to Diaz’s struggles has been his heavy reliance on his fastball, which has diminished in velocity to 93 mph. Diaz’s usage of his fastball has been consistently high, accounting for approximately 66% of his pitches. This reliance has allowed his career xBA of .195 to balloon to .335 in 2025, further highlighting the challenges he has faced this season.
*The Corresponding Move*
In response to Diaz’s demotion, the Reds have called up Luis Mey from Triple-A to provide additional support in the bullpen. However, Mey’s performance in Triple-A this season has been less than impressive, with an xFIP of 4.96, largely due to seven walks in just nine innings pitched. This raises questions about Mey’s ability to make an immediate impact at the major league level and whether he can become a crucial part of the Reds’ bullpen.
*Alternative Options*
Some might argue that the Reds could have explored alternative options for replacing Diaz, such as Alan Busenitz, who currently boasts a 3.52 ERA in Triple-A. However, Busenitz is out of options, which likely influenced the team’s decision not to call him up at this time. The Reds might be hesitant to bring him up before they have to, given that he won’t be able to be sent back down once Diaz hopefully addresses his issues.
*Bullpen Outlook*
Despite Diaz’s struggles, the Reds’ bullpen has performed admirably overall, ranking 4th in the National League with a 3.57 ERA. The team’s bullpen depth and talent might help stabilize the situation in Diaz’s absence. Mey’s performance will be crucial in determining how well the bullpen adjusts to Diaz’s demotion and whether they can maintain their current level of performance.
In conclusion, the Reds’ decision to option Diaz to Triple-A Louisville and call up Luis Mey reflects the team’s efforts to address their bullpen challenges. While Mey’s performance is uncertain, the Reds’ bullpen might be strong enough to absorb the impact of Diaz’s absence. The coming weeks will be telling in terms of how both Diaz and Mey perform and how the team’s bullpen dynamics unfold.
