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When the Cincinnati Reds finally traded Alexis Diaz to the Dodgers back in May, it was the end of a long road the franchise was on, toiling to try to turn Diaz's career around. In terms of raw stuff, Diaz had a real chance to be special. However, finding the strike zone proved to be problematic for him, and after multiple opportunities and adjustments, the Reds couldn't wait around any longer for the enigmatic reliever to figure things out and return to All-Star form.
In sending Diaz to LA, there was always the risk that the Dodgers could unlock Diaz's potential and make the Reds look foolish in the process. However, Diaz struggled after the trade just like the Reds thought, and the Dodgers optioned him to the minors in hopes that he could figure something out.
Instead, LA decided that they had waited long enough for him and designated Diaz for assignment on Thursday.
The Dodgers have selected the contract of catcher Ben Rortvedt and optioned IF Alex Freeland. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated RHP Alexis Díaz for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2025
Reds choice to send Alexis Diaz out of town proved wise after Dodgers DFA'd him
Sadly, this was a very predictable outcome, and Cincy ended up with an extra minor league reliever in Mike Villani for recognizing it when they did. The Dodgers were forced by injuries into a Diaz gamble, and it didn't work out. At the end of the day, both teams are probably fine with how things turned out, with LA having an added dose of disappointment.
For Diaz, his path forward as a major league pitcher is unclear. He made the All-Star team in 2023, but has since been unable to command his stuff anywhere close to the level he must reach to consistently get outs. Not only is he not a high-leverage reliever anymore, but Diaz doesn't even look like a major league pitcher at the moment.
It is unlikely that any team is going to gamble on him this late in the season, so the Dodgers may be able to stash him away in the minors and off their 40-man roster. As for what happens in 2026 and beyond, well, Diaz may have to just hope that he can parlay a minor league opportunity into another chance. Unfortunately, that is pretty much the only deal he can realistically expect to get.