Alexis Diaz

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Reds selected Díaz in the 12th round of the 2015 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut in 2022. He underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2016, which kept him sidelined for the entire season. He returned to the Arizona League in 2017 and pitched to a 4.94 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 13 appearances. In 2018, Díaz was promoted to the rookie-level Greeneville Reds, where he posted a 3–3 record and 3.02 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 11 games (nine of them starts). In 2019, with the Single-A Dayton Dragons, he logged a 7–4 record and 5.18 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 57+1⁄3 innings pitched across 25 appearances. Díaz did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he played for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, posting a 3.83 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 42+1⁄3 innings across 35 contests. The Reds added Díaz to their 40-man roster following the 2021 season on November 19, 2021. On April 7, 2022, it was announced that he had made the Opening Day roster out of Spring Training. Díaz made his major league debut the following day against the Atlanta Braves, tossing a scoreless inning and collecting his first two strikeouts (Adam Duvall and Travis d'Arnaud). He earned his first save on May 17, 2022, in the tenth inning against the Cleveland Guardians. He finished the season with a 7–3 record, 1.84 ERA, 83 strikeouts and 10 saves in 59 games. In 2023, Díaz became entrenched as the Reds closer and was selected to the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He pitched in 71 games, with a 9–6 record, 3.07 ERA, 86 strikeouts and 37 saves. In 2024, he saved 28 games in 60 appearances with a 3.99 ERA. However his strikeout totals were down, with only 55 in 56+1⁄3 innings. After the 2024 season, Díaz and the Reds agreed to a $4.5 million contract for the following season in his first year of salary arbitration. He suffered a hamstring injury early in spring training and began the 2025 season on the injured list. He struggled in his return to the lineup, allowing eight runs, including four home runs, in just six innings of work, while walking five and only striking out three. He gave up three of those home runs in one inning on April 30 against the St. Louis Cardinals and was optioned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats the following day. In 13+2⁄3 innings in the minors, he allowed 14 hits while issuing 12 walks, su

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Díaz's early career occurred on April 8, 2022, when he faced Adam Duvall and Travis d'Arnaud in his debut against the Braves, tossing a scoreless inning. That same season, he secured his first save on May 17 against the Cleveland Guardians. Yet, the narrative shifted dramatically in 2025. After struggling in spring training, Díaz allowed eight runs, including four home runs, in just six innings upon his return to the major leagues. The low point arrived on April 30 against the St. Louis Cardinals when he surrendered three home runs in a single inning, leading to his immediate optioning to Triple-A Louisville. A trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 29 offered a reset, but his time there was brief and troubled. He made his debut on July 22 against the Minnesota Twins, allowing five runs in nine innings across nine appearances before being designated for assignment. A quick claim by the Atlanta Braves followed on September 7, where he posted a 10.13 ERA in just three appearances. By October 1, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett, electing free agency the next day. His story continued as he signed with the Texas Rangers on December 16, 2025, only to be designated for assignment again by March 13, 2026, before being sent to Triple-A Round Rock.

Reader's Guide

Alexis Díaz is a right-handed relief pitcher known for his high strikeout rate and closing ability. He emerged as the Reds' closer in 2023, earning an All-Star selection. His career has included stints with the Reds, Dodgers, Braves, and Rangers, with his most productive seasons in Cincinnati.

Did You Know?

• Díaz's older brother, Edwin Díaz, is a professional baseball player who currently pitches for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Edwin earned a save on the same day that Alexis earned his first save, making them the third set of brothers to both earn a save on the same day in MLB history.
• Díaz was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 12th round of the 2015 MLB draft.