The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the acquisition of reliever Alexis Diaz from the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, in exchange for pitching prospect Mike Villani. This move comes as the Dodgers grapple with ongoing injuries within their pitching staff this season. Noteworthy pitchers such as Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki, alongside relievers Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, and Kirby Yates, are currently on the injured list due to various ailments. Despite these challenges, the Dodgers have managed to maintain their winning trajectory, largely attributed to their formidable offensive lineup, even as the pitching staff's ERA of 4.09 ranks 21st in the major leagues.

Alexis Diaz, 28, distinguished himself as an All-Star in the 2023 season, achieving a 3.07 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and accumulating 86 strikeouts over 67.1 innings while successfully converting 37 of 40 save opportunities. His performance in the previous season was commendable as well, posting a 3.99 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 55 strikeouts, and 28 saves in 32 attempts. However, Diaz's 2025 campaign has been tumultuous; following a stint on the injured list due to a left hamstring injury, his return to the mound resulted in a challenging start. In six appearances, he recorded a 12.00 ERA and a 2.17 WHIP, prompting a reassignment to Triple-A Louisville on May 1. The expectation was that a period away from the pressures of major league play might aid in his recovery and reestablishment of form.

Unfortunately, Diaz has continued to face difficulties with his command in the minors, coinciding with Emilio Pagán currently assuming the closer responsibilities for the Reds. Given the circumstances, the organization deemed it necessary to make a change. Nick Krall, the president of baseball operations for Cincinnati, addressed the media post-trade, emphasizing, "Where he was two years ago, the first half of 2023, and where he is, he's obviously not where he needs to be. He's a great kid. It's just one of those where a change of scenery might help him." The Reds are in a position to reallocate resources and have expressed optimism in acquiring a pitcher they value. For the Dodgers, this acquisition represents a low-risk opportunity to bolster their pitching depth, which could yield significant returns if Diaz can return to his previous performance levels.