Cincinnati Reds Option 28-Year-Old Closer to Triple-A Louisville

The Cincinnati Reds have gotten off to a good start to the 2025 MLB season as they are second in the NL Central with a 16-15 record. However, one point of concern has been the back end of the bullpen as Alexis Diaz has struggled. On Thursday morning, the team announced a move that could be telling of what the future could hold for the 28-year-old reliever. Let’s take a look at the move that happened and what it means going forward for the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Send Alexis Diaz to Triple-A

Ahead of Thursday afternoon’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cincinnati Reds announced they have sent closer Alexis Diaz to Triple-A Louisville and are calling up right-handed pitcher Luis Mey. Diaz has not been able to do too well this season as in 6.0 innings (six games) he is 0-0 with a 12.00 ERA and a 2.17 WHIP. His command has been atrocious with five walks to three strikeouts and has given up four home runs already.

Diaz still has options and is not a free agent until after the 2027 season as he has two years of arbitration remaining. A big reason for the early-season struggles is the fact he is a two-pitch pitcher and hitters can sit on one of the pitches. He has a four-seam fastball and a slider, but his slider has been getting demolished as hitters are 5-for-13 (.385 BA) with two doubles, a pair of home runs, and only one strikeout. Now, the ability to move him down to the minors could be a chance for him to begin developing a third pitch or at least gaining some confidence to be a high-leverage reliever in the majors.

It will be interesting to see how long the Cincinnati Reds keep him in the minors as he begins to correct his early-season woes.