Jumbo Díaz

Professional career

Jose Rafael "Jumbo" Diaz was born on February 27, 1984, in the Dominican Republic and went on to become a professional baseball relief pitcher. His nickname "Jumbo" comes from his large frame; MLB.com lists him at 6 feet tall and 315 pounds. He played in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays, making his MLB debut in 2014.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Diaz began his professional career when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him in 2001. He started playing the next season, appearing with the GCL Dodgers, South Georgia Waves, and Great Falls Dodgers, where he posted a 5-3 record with a 2.82 ERA over 16 games, 12 of which were starts. In 2003, he saw limited action with the Ogden Raptors and South Georgia, going 0-1 with a 6.62 ERA in seven games.

The following year, pitching for the Columbus Catfish and Vero Beach Dodgers, he went 1-5 with 20 saves and a 2.00 ERA in 37 games. He appeared in only 36 total games over the next three seasons, from 2005 through 2007. Diaz then underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2008 season.

Texas Rangers

After leaving the Dodgers, Diaz signed with the Texas Rangers for 2009. That year, he pitched for the Frisco RoughRiders, going 3-1 with 10 saves and a 3.63 ERA in 36 games.

The Rangers released him after the season, and he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. With Baltimore's minor league affiliates, he went 4-0 with 16 saves and a 1.92 ERA in 45 games. In 2011, he recorded 23 saves and a 2.62 ERA.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Diaz then signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2012, pitching for the Indianapolis Indians. He went 1-2 with 3 saves and a 3.60 ERA in 41 games. On April 29 of that year, he teamed up with Justin Wilson and Doug Slaten to throw a no-hitter against the Durham Bulls.

Cincinnati Reds

In 2013, Diaz joined the Cincinnati Reds organization and pitched for the Louisville Bats. He went 3-4 with 13 saves and a 1.66 ERA, posting a 1.03 WHIP and striking out 60 batters over 54.1 innings. By the end of that season, Diaz weighed nearly 350 pounds, but he shed 70 pounds before the 2014 season. He started 2014 back with Louisville.

The Reds selected his contract from Louisville on June 20, and he made his MLB debut that same night against the Toronto Blue Jays, entering in the seventh inning and allowing three runs in one inning. On June 24, he recorded his first MLB strikeout against the Chicago Cubs. He finished the 2014 season with a 3.38 ERA over 34.2 innings. Diaz earned his first MLB save on September 15, 2015.

On March 10, 2017, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed Diaz off waivers. He was designated for assignment on July 16, then outrighted to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on July 19, but he elected free agency on July 21.

Later that month, on July 31, he signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization. In 12 games for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, he posted a 2.92 ERA with 11 strikeouts and 3 saves. He elected free agency after the season on November 6.

On January 12, 2018, Diaz signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He made 38 appearances split between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins and the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes, compiling a 6-6 record with a 2.18 ERA, 52 strikeouts, and 12 saves. He elected free agency on November 2.

Diaz then moved to the Mexican League, signing with the Toros de Tijuana on February 16, 2019. In 58 appearances, he went 2-6 with a 3.86 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and 7 saves over 56 innings. He became a free agent after the season.

On December 19, 2019, he signed with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League. He did not play in 2020 because the Mexican League season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he made 21 relief appearances, going 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA and 16 strikeouts.

In 2022, he struggled over 24 relief appearances, posting a 1-2 record with an 8.20 ERA and 22 strikeouts. On June 21, 2022, he was traded to the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League, where he made 8 relief appearances, going 0-2 with a 12.86 ERA and 4 strikeouts. He was released by Oaxaca on July 7.

Internationally, Diaz played for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League after the 2020 season. He also represented the Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series and the 2020 Summer Olympics.

On January 22, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays hired Diaz as an assistant pitching coach for their rookie-level Dominican Summer League affiliate.

Did You Know?

• By the end of the 2013 season, Díaz weighed nearly 350 lbs; he shed 70 lbs prior to the 2014 season.
• On April 29, 2012, Díaz teamed with Justin Wilson and Doug Slaten on a no-hitter against the Durham Bulls while with the Indianapolis Indians.