The Los Angeles Dodgers are turning to a former All-Star in hopes of bolstering their makeshift bullpen.
Right-hander Alexis Diaz, who was acquired in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds in May, was called up on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Diaz had been with Triple-A Oklahoma City ever since joining the organization, logging a 9.64 ERA in six appearances. That included seven walks in 4.2 innings.
While those aren’t the type of numbers that generally warrant a promotion, the Dodgers are clearly hoping that Diaz can recapture his form from his All-Star season in 2023, when he had a 3.07 ERA and 37 saves for Cincinnati.
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers sent down right-hander Julian Fernandez. Called up a day earlier, the 29-year-old Fernandez allowed two runs over two innings in a 9-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
What is Expected of Alexis Diaz?
Diazâs season has not gone as planned. After opening the year on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, Diaz posted a 12.00 ERA in his first six appearances, allowing eight runs over six innings.
Diaz â the brother of New York Mets star closer Edwin Diaz â lost his job as the Redsâ closer and was eventually demoted to the Triple-A Louisville. On May 29, the Reds cut bait with Diaz, trading him to Los Angeles for minor league pitcher Mike Villani.
Despite a rocky start with the organization, the Dodgers are hoping he can turn things around.
âI think that thereâs some good and not-so-good, just trying to be consistent with the delivery,â manager Dave Roberts said of Diazâs performance via the Associated Press. âThe arm still works. The stuff is still good. But the consistency of strike-throwing is what havenât seen yet from Alexis.â
Diaz had 75 saves over parts of four seasons with Cincinnati, including 10 as a rookie in 2022 when he went 7-3 with a 1.84 ERA in 63.2 innings.
How is Dodgers’ Pitching Shaping Up?
The Dodgers have been hit hard by injuries. As of Tuesday, they had 12 pitchers on the IL, including two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and prized rookie Roki Sasaki. In more positive news, All-Star Tyler Glasnow, who last pitched for the Dodgers on April 27 because of shoulder inflammation, is expected to return from the IL and start Wednesday against the Brewers.
Despite their absences, the Dodgers entered Tuesday with the NLâs best record at 56-36.
Diaz will presumably start in low-leverage roles but have an opportunity to work his way into the Dodgersâ circle of trust.
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