Alexis Díaz DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.