Reds fans concerned about Alexis Diaz's strange absence finally have their answer

Spring training is a time of renewed hope, fresh starts, and the first glimpses of baseball’s stars and prospects gearing up for another season. But for the Cincinnati Reds, an unsettling mystery began to take shape. One of their crucial bullpen pieces, Alexis Díaz, had gone completely off the radar.

Already nine games into spring training, with position battles unfolding and prospects fighting for roster spots, Díaz was nowhere to be seen. The absence of the 28-year-old closer, a pitcher known for his high velocity and fiery mound presence, didn’t go unnoticed. With each passing game, speculation grew louder.

Reds fans concerned about Alexis Diaz's strange absence finally have their answer

Had he fallen out of favor after an erratic 2024 campaign? Were the Reds quietly shopping their bullpen anchor? Or, worst of all, was there an undisclosed injury that could derail his season?

Questions swirled. The Reds remained silent. And as the days passed this situation appeared on the verge of combustion.

Finally, relief arrived. Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer broke the silence, revealing that Díaz had been dealing with a minor hamstring tweak suffered during fielding drills about a week ago. The Reds, erring on the side of caution, have kept him sidelined rather than risk further aggravation. Díaz, according to Wittenmyer, feels great and is expected to make his Cactus League debut this coming weekend.

What version of Alexis Diaz will Reds fans see in 2025?

With that revelation, Reds fans can exhale, but only partially. While it was a comfort to know their closer wasn’t facing a serious injury, Díaz’s absence has conjured up some uncomfortable truths about his recent performance.

After bursting onto the scene as one of baseball’s most dominant relievers in 2022 and 2023, Díaz struggled in 2024. His ERA climbed from 3.07 in 2023 to 3.99 last season, and his once sparkling strikeout statistics plummeted (from 11.5 K/9 in 2023 to just 8.8 K/9 in 2024).

While his control remained suspect and his walk rate was still high, but it was his dip in velocity that raised the most concern. His fastball, which averaged 93.9 mph in 2024, had steadily declined since his rookie year. And while the movement on the pitch remained similar, a lower arm angle and altered release point may have made it far more hittable.

Still, the good news is that Díaz is healthy and on track to return. With four weeks remaining before Opening Day, he has time to fine-tune his mechanics and regain the dominance Reds fans had grown to know. But make no mistake, if his struggles from last season carry over into 2025, he could lose his grip on the closer role.

For now, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The mystery is solved, and Díaz is set to take the mound again. What happens next is up to him.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors