The Cincinnati Reds announced on Thursday that they optioned right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz to Triple-A Louisville and recalled right-hander Luis Mey from Louisville in a corresponding move. Diaz's 2025 season has gone from bad to worse after he surrendered five earned runs on four hits while walking one in his inning of work in the 6-0 loss in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The 28-year-old's slider was flat, and he allowed back-to-back-to-back homers in the disastrous outing. Through six relief innings for the Reds this year, the Puerto Rican hurler has surrendered eight earned runs on eight hits (four homers) while walking five and striking out three. Diaz also struggled with his mechanics in spring training and opened the season on the injured list, so nothing has really gone right. Emilio Pagan will continue on in Cincy's closer role for the foreseeable future.

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Tuesday that they activated right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list prior to their game against the visiting Seattle Mariners. However, manager Terry Francona said that Diaz won't be the set closer upon his activation. The skipper said it's fair to pitch Diaz "when it makes sense." Diaz could get the closer job back eventually this year, but the Reds have been pleased with Emilio Pagan's early-season performance -- 1.23 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, four saves and five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Diaz not only injured his hamstring in spring training, but he was all over the place with his control and his mechanics were out of whack. Expect the Puerto Rican reliever to start out in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen before eventually being moved to a more high-leverage role. He's still worth stashing in fantasy for save opps this year.

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) will throw on back-to-back days over the next two days on his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. Diaz struggled mightily with his command in spring training before suffering a hamstring injury in camp that landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican hasn't been much better in the minors during his rehab assignment, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking four and striking out four in three innings with the Bats. The fact that the Reds are having Diaz go on back-to-back days is likely an indication that he's getting close to coming off the IL. However, even if he rejoins Cincy's bullpen soon, fantasy managers should expect the former closer to be eased into low-leverage situations given his struggles with command so far this year.

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati 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.

The 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.

Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring a week or so into camp when he slipped during fielding practice, which caused the Reds to "slow-play" him. However, Diaz says that he feels "great" now and expects to make his Cactus League debut this weekend. There's still plenty of time for the 28-year-old right-handed reliever to get ready for the start of the 2025 regular season at the end of March, barring a setback with his hamstring injury. The Puerto Rican hurler was a first-time All-Star in 2023 in just his second year in the big leagues after recording 37 saves for the Reds, but he wasn't quite as sharp in 2024, going 2-5 with a 3.99 ERA (4.57 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP, 28 saves, 55 strikeouts and 31 walks in 56 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. A dip in velocity with a bloated 12.8% walk rate and low 22.7% strikeout rate were the culprits. Diaz is still Cincy's closer, but his leash could be shorter under new manager Terry Francona if he struggles.

According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz began his throwing program earlier this offseason. Diaz did this to set himself up for a strong start to the 2025 campaign. Diaz said, "I feel like since then, I've' been able to work on my throwing and get my arm loose and ready for spring training." Diaz also noted he feels more confident entering this season. Last summer, the right-hander posted a 3.99 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP with 28 saves across 56 1/3 innings. However, he struggled to remain consistent. During the first two months of the season, Diaz held a hefty 5.91 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP and blew two saves. However, from June 1 and on, the closer began to turn his season around as he held a solid 2.83 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over the final 35 innings of the season. While Diaz may occasionally struggle throughout the season, he is a safe option for saves, given that he is the clear ninth-inning option in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz slammed the door on the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, picking up his 23rd save in a 4-3 win. Diaz was tasked with protecting the one-run lead in the ninth and did so easily, punching out a pair while throwing a perfect frame. After a rough first half of May, Diaz has looked like his usual self, converting 16 save chances in a row. His overall numbers still don't look great, but they are slowly coming around. The 27-year-old should be a solid relief option in fantasy for the rest of the year.

Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz picked up his 10th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Diaz was called upon for the second day in a row in the ninth and once again made quick work of the Dodgers. This time, he came in with a runner on second and struck out both batters he faced. While the 27-year-old fireballer had some struggles for the first half of May, he appears to have settled back in, allowing zero runs in his last four appearances while picking up three saves. He should remain a solid closing option for fantasy managers.

Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz made his spring debut on Thursday in a 5-4 Cactus League win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2023 All-Star struck out the side on nine pitches, generating six swing-and-misses, and the final to go down swinging was none other than perennial MVP candidate Mookie Betts. It looks like Diaz is ready for the regular season to begin and put a rough second half of last season behind him. The righty posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in the second half of 2023, versus a first half that saw a 2.03 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Nevertheless, even though it could be a bumpy ride, the 27-year-old will be a top-15 RP option in 2024.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Ian Gibaut recorded a rare save on Sunday, shutting the door on the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-2 victory. Gibaut pitched a clean ninth inning, allowing no baserunners and striking out none. It is noteworthy that usual closer Alexis Diaz was used in the eighth inning of this one, something the Reds don't typically do. With their postseason chances hanging on the line, though, they went with what they thought would give them the best chance of winning. This sets up a potentially frustrating final week for Diaz owners, who may see the 26-year-old appear in more non-save situations if the Reds' feel it is necessary.

Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz picked up his ninth win of the season in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Tigers. Diaz came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 5-5. He got the first out on a strikeout, hit a batter, and got the final outs on a pop-out and a groundout. The Reds would go on to score in the 10th and turn to Buck Farmer to close the game out, making Diaz the pitcher of record. Although he had a bit of a rough patch recently, Diaz has been outstanding this season, going 9-4 with 35 saves, a 2.19 ERA, an 11.68 K/9 rate, and a 4.23 BB/9 rate. He has been a top fantasy asset and should continue to be for the final few weeks.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Alexis Diaz pitched the ninth inning of Wednesday's 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, allowing no hits and one walk while striking out one to earn the save. It was his first outing since blowing the save on Saturday when he gave up three runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Diaz has been lights out this season, posting a 2.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 33.2% strikeout rate with 35 saves over 56 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old is no doubt one of the best relievers in the game and is a must-start in all leagues.

Cincinnati Reds reliever Alexis Diaz picked up the save on Tuesday when his team beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3. He pitched a clean ninth inning, allowing no baserunners and striking out one to record his 34th save of 2023. Diaz has been one of the best fantasy arms out there this season, as he owns a 2.30 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with a 34.1% strikeout rate over 54 2/3 innings. With his big arm, the 26-year-old will remain the Reds closer and is a must-start the rest of the way.