1 day agoCincinnati Reds relief pitcher
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is nearing a return, as he threw 18 pitches on Sunday in Triple-A Louisville. Still, manager Terry Francona said there's no decision on when Diaz will be activated. Francona said, "it was an encouraging sign to see him throw 14 of 18 strikes yesterday, but we've got some things to figure out". Last season, Diaz struggled at times as he had a walk rate of 12.8 percent, a career low 8.79 K/9, and only a 32.7 percent ground ball rate to go along with his 3.99 ERA and 4.57 FIP. Fantasy managers should expect him to take over closer responsibilities when he does return but may want to limit expectations, as
Emilio Pagan has logged four saves and has a 1.23 ERA to start the 2025 season.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
2 days agoCincinnati Reds relief pitcher
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) has reported to the Reds clubhouse and is nearing a return. According to Charles Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Magazine, Diaz does not know when he will be activated off the 15-day injured list, but the reliever "feels ready to go." Diaz has made five rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He has appeared in each of the past two games. Over his last two outings, Diaz has given up three hits and two runs and struck out four batters. Across the five total rehab innings, he has posted a modest 5.40 ERA with a 2.00 WHIP. Last season, Diaz struggled at times and finished the campaign with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. When Diaz returns, fantasy managers should expect him to see most of the save opportunities, but may not be given a long leash, if these struggles arise again.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
1 week agoCincinnati Reds reliever
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) might not return to the closer role when activated from the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Diaz struggled with command issues this spring and was placed on the injured list with hamstring inflammation. The 28-year-old began a rehab assignment on Friday and pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Louisville but walked two of the first three batters he faced. It's unclear if Diaz will return as the Reds closer right away once activated as the Reds are expected to ease him back into action. "I think he would want to put him in the right spots early and maybe not throw him to the wolves right away," said Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson. "But you never know. Just trying to get him back here is the most important part." The Reds will likely continue to use a bullpen by committee for saves with
Emilio Pagan,
Tony Santillan,
Graham Ashcraft, and
Scott Barlow until Diaz is healthy and ready to reclaim the closer role.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Gordon Wittenmyer
2 weeks agoCincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed reliever
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment and pitch for High-A Dayton on Friday and again on Sunday. Diaz is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on April 8, but whether that actually happens will likely depend on how his hamstring feels this weekend and how he looks on the mound after struggling in spring training before straining his left hamstring. The 28-year-old's mechanics were all out of whack in camp, but if he can get his control/command back under control, he's still Cincy's best option for saves in 2025. However, that doesn't mean he'll be closing games right away for the Reds when he comes off the IL. Diaz should be stashed in all fantasy formats, but his leash will be short if he falters for Francona.
Emilio Pagan is the team's top closing option in the meantime.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
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