The Los Angeles Dodgers are buying low on an All-Star closer as they look to reinforce their bullpen.
The reigning World Series champs have acquired right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor-league reliever Mike Villani, the team announced Thursday.
Diaz has had a brutal 2025 campaign, making only six appearances for the Reds while putting up a 12.00 ERA with four home runs and three strikeouts.
The 28-year-old has not pitched in MLB since April 30 after the Reds demoted him to triple-A. Over 14 appearances with the Louisville Bats, Diaz has a 4.61 ERA, two home runs and 16 strikeouts and has recorded two saves.
Diaz enjoyed a productive 2023 campaign that saw him put up a 3.07 ERA and 37 saves in 71 appearances for Cincinnati, en route to his first and only All-Star nod.
Heading back the other way in the exchange will be Villani, who is currently on the 7-day IL for the Dodgers’ rookie-A affiliate. He has no earned runs to his name over his two appearances in the Arizona Complex League and has one save.
Villani, 22, was drafted by the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of California State University, Long Beach.
The Dodgers moved right-hander Evan Phillips to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster for Diaz.
Phillips went on the injured list May 7 with elbow discomfort, and his recovery does not appear to be going well. Manager Dave Roberts said earlier this week that Phillips’ inability to begin a throwing program was “a little concerning.”
Phillips is among of 14 Dodgers pitchers on the injured lis, a group making more than $100 million combined this season. The injured arms include starters Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki, and the relievers include Phillips, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol.
Phillips was a key component of the eventual World Series champions’ bullpen last year, and he earned 42 saves over the past two seasons.
— With files from the Associated Press
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