The Los Angeles Dodgers recently designated former Cincinnati Reds All‑Star reliever Alexis Díaz for assignment following a rough patch that began with his inconsistent form. After being acquired from the Reds earlier this year, Díaz struggled to find his footing, delivering a 5.00 ERA over nine MLB appearances before being demoted to Triple-A, where his woes continued—he allowed four earned runs in just 3⅓ innings.
Díaz’s difficulties date back to his time in Cincinnati, where he endured a disastrous start to the 2025 season. In six outings, he posted a staggering 12.00 ERA and surrendered four home runs in as many innings. Though his previous seasons from 2022–2024 showcased his elite abilities—amassing 75 saves and 224 strikeouts over 187⅓ innings—his recent performance illustrates a glaring drop-off .
This downturn was particularly surprising considering Díaz’s past accomplishments: he was an NL All‑Star in 2023, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2022. That year, he posted a 3.07 ERA with 37 saves; in 2024, he converted 28 saves in 32 opportunities and maintained a solid 1.30 WHIP. But the momentum he once carried didn’t hold—an increasingly inconsistent performance haunted his recent outings and ultimately cost him his spot.
With this designation, the Dodgers removed Díaz from their 40-man roster, giving them up to seven days to either trade him, release him, or attempt to outright him to the minors if he clears waivers. For Díaz, this moment marks a crossroads in his career—he must now decide whether to bounce back or find a new opportunity elsewhere.
It’s a steep fall for a pitcher once considered one of the National League’s more reliable late-inning arms. Díaz’s fate may hinge on whether a fresh start can reignite his form—and whether other teams still see the elite closer he once was.
