Reds have interesting decision to make following news of Alexis Díaz rehab assignment

The news of Alexis Díaz’s rehab assignment — which began last night at High-A Dayton — shined a ray of hope on an otherwise dismal run for the Cincinnati Reds. The Redlegs dropped three straight games by the final of 1-0, and while the return of a reliever won’t do much to solve Cincinnati’s lack of offense, Díaz’s presence could bolster the clubhouse. One player, though, may not be all smiles.

When Díaz makes his way back to the major leagues, the Reds will need to do a bit of a roster shuffle. Cincinnati only has two relievers with minor-league options remaining: Graham Ashcraft and Sam Moll.

Ashcraft has seemed right at home in the ‘pen since being moved from the rotation, and the Reds would be foolish to disrupt his success. Moll, meanwhile, has struggled with his command. A move to Triple-A could sort him out, but being left-handed certainly works in his favor.

The impending return of closer Alexis Díaz could shake up the Reds’ bullpen

Perhaps the most endangered reliever on the Reds’ roster, though, is Ian Gibaut. The right-hander became notorious after blowing the save on Opening Day, and while immediate calls for him being DFA’d were probably an overreaction, it would make sense for him to make way for Díaz. He could very well clear waivers and remain in the Reds’ organization.

Manager Terry Francona and the Reds have expressed support for Gibaut. He proved them right with two sterling follow-up outings after the Opening Day debacle, and the difference between his xERA (1.67) and actual ERA (12.00) could indicate some terrible luck at play in the opener.

Still, the journeyman reliever will likely need to be shifted off the 40-man roster as Cincinnati’s injured stars return and as the club’s prospects get called up. The Reds have very wiggle room at the moment.

The Reds could even try to trade Gibaut. His stuff has actually been better in 2025 than at any other point in his career, according to FanGraphs’ Stuff+. Teams are always in search of bullpen help, so a swap for cash could be an easy way to clear off a spot for Díaz.

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