3 days agoCincinnati Reds right-handed reliever
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) threw live batting practice on Tuesday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. Diaz displayed terrible control in spring training and then injured his hamstring, which landed him on the 15-day injured to begin the 2025 regular season. The 28-year-old is already throwing to live hitters and is eligible to come off the IL on April 8, but it's unclear if he'll be ready by then or if the Reds are even comfortable throwing him back into their big-league bullpen by then. After recording the team's first save chance early on, right-hander
Emilio Pagan is manager Terry Francona's clear preferred choice for the ninth inning with Diaz sidelined, but
Tony Santillan is also a very trusted weapon in high-leverage situations. It's quite possible that Diaz is eased into lower-leverage situations out of the 'pen in Cincy when he does make his season debut.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
2 weeks agoCincinnati Reds relief pitcher
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is set to open the season on the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The 28-year-old reliever sustained a hamstring injury early in camp, and it appears he isn't entirely over it. It's possible the hamstring is to explain for how shaky he's been this spring -- owning a ghastly 13.50 ERA in 3.1 Cactus League innings. For now, one of
Taylor Rogers,
Emilio Pagan,
Graham Ashcraft or
Scott Barlow could pick up save chances in Diaz's stead. All three could be mixed and matched in high-leverage situations if manager Terry Francona opts to go in that direction. This bullpen situation will be one to monitor.
--Alex CiullaSource: Gordon Whittenmyer
3 weeks agoThe Cincinnati Reds will have right-handed reliever
Alexis Diaz pitch in a minor-league game in camp on Tuesday after another rough outing in the Cactus League on Saturday in which he gave up five runs on three hits while walking three in just one-third of an inning. The 28-year-old dealt with a hamstring injury early in camp and also developed a cut on his right thumb during his outing on Saturday. The Reds are hoping that he'll be able to iron out his issues before Opening Day arrives next Thursday, but fantasy managers can't be so certain. Diaz was expected to be Cincy's primary closer entering the 2025 season, but his struggles this spring could open the door for the likes of
Emilio Pagan,
Taylor Rogers,
Tony Santillan and
Scott Barlow in the ninth inning. Diaz has become a shaky No. 2 fantasy closer for those that have yet to draft.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
4 weeks agoCincinnati Reds closer
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) had a solid live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday and has been cleared to pitch again in Cactus League action in the coming days. It's good news for Diaz after he suffered a mild hamstring injury while doing fielding drills late last month. As long as the 28-year-old doesn't have a setback with his hamstring once he gets back into spring games, he'll be ready to go for Opening Day at the end of the month. Although the Puerto Rican right-hander has 65 saves the last two years for the Reds, he's only ranked as RotoBaller's No. 17 fantasy closer going into the 2025 season. That's because he'll probably be on a shorter leash in the ninth inning this year after the velocity on his fastball dropped again, which in turn caused his strikeout rate to fall to 22.7%. Combine that with a 12.8% walk rate and you have the recipe for inconsistency late in games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Pat Brennan
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