LOS ANGELES — The intriguing information that L.A. introduced a former All-Star nearer into the fold got here with the unlucky actuality that the membership will likely be with out certainly one of its veteran back-end arms till not less than early July.
The Dodgers acquired righty reliever Alexis Díaz from the Reds in trade for Minor League right-hander Mike Villani on Thursday. Veteran righty Evan Phillips was transferred to the 60-day injured record with the intention to clear a 40-man roster spot for Díaz.
TRADE DETAILS
Dodgers get: RHP Alexis Díaz
Reds get: Minor League RHP Mike Villani
Díaz, 28, was an All-Star in 2023, one yr after ending fifth in NL Rookie of the 12 months voting in ’22. The youthful brother of Mets nearer Edwin Díaz, he mixed to publish a 2.47 ERA with 47 saves — and 169 strikeouts in opposition to 69 walks — throughout 130 appearances in these two seasons.
However since then, Díaz’s effectiveness has declined, culminating in a demotion to Triple-A earlier this month.
In 2024, Díaz posted a 3.99 ERA, and in six appearances for the Reds following a hamstring damage that delayed his season debut this yr, he had a 12.00 ERA with three strikeouts and 5 walks in six innings. His final Main League outing got here on April 30 in opposition to the Cardinals, through which he surrendered 5 runs within the ninth inning.
In 14 appearances for Triple-A Louisville, Díaz had a 4.61 ERA with 12 walks and 16 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings. Díaz’s wage for this season is $4.5 million after he and the Reds agreed to a contract to keep away from arbitration this previous offseason, and he is beneath crew management by means of the 2027 season.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has struggled to a Seventeenth-ranked 3.98 ERA up to now this season, and given a number of accidents to starters, the aid corps has racked up an MLB-leading 239 2/3 innings. Whereas the membership nonetheless finds itself atop the NL West standings, the bullpen is an apparent space of want for the defending World Collection champions.
De facto nearer Tanner Scott has suffered three blown saves in his previous 5 appearances, however he is among the few seasoned high-leverage choices remaining on the energetic roster. Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech are all on the IL. Kopech is nearing the tip of a rehab project with Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis and ought to be near being an possibility for the Dodgers, however the others aren’t notably shut.
Phillips was positioned on the 15-day IL with proper forearm discomfort on Might 7. It was initially anticipated to be a minimum-length stint, however two days later, supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned an MRI revealed irritation in Phillips’ elbow. The plan at that time was to close Phillips down for a few weeks earlier than constructing him up once more.
However as of earlier this week, Phillips had not resumed taking part in catch. Now that he is on the 60-day IL, the earliest he might be activated is July 6.
“It’s beginning to get a little bit regarding,” Roberts mentioned Sunday. “I don’t understand how lengthy we may give it till he can try to begin taking part in catch once more. I’m getting a little bit type of involved, however hoping for the perfect.”
Phillips started the season on the 15-day IL with a proper rotator cuff pressure that had additionally saved him off final yr’s World Collection roster. He didn’t permit a run throughout seven appearances (5 2/3 innings) whereas recording 4 holds and one save this yr.
Villani, 22, was chosen within the thirteenth spherical of the 2024 Draft out of Lengthy Seashore State in California. He has a mid-90s fastball and confirmed a wipeout slider in faculty. He’s in his first season of professional ball, making two appearances within the Arizona Complicated League through which he threw two good innings with 5 strikeouts.
The Dodgers are basically shopping for low on an arm with confirmed Main League upside in Díaz, who may very well be simply what they want if he is capable of work his approach again to one thing resembling his All-Star kind.
