Los Angeles, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a trade, bringing in right-hander Alexis Díaz from the Cincinnati Reds. The team confirmed the acquisition, which required the Dodgers to place Evan Phillips on the 60-day injured list to make space on their 40-man roster. Díaz, who is expected to start his transition with the club in Arizona, joins the team amid a challenging season.

Díaz, at 28 years old, experienced a significant decline in performance over the last year. Once celebrated for his potential after finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and earning an All-Star selection in 2023, he has faced difficulties in 2025. His fastball velocity has dropped by nearly three miles per hour, leading to a concerning rise in his walk rate and overall effectiveness. In six appearances for Cincinnati this season, he posted a striking 12.00 ERA, allowing four home runs while walking over 15 percent of batters faced.

After being optioned to the Triple-A level, Díaz’s struggles continued, albeit with a slightly better 4.61 ERA. However, his high walk rate and issues with wild pitches reflect persistent challenges. Díaz’s fastball now averages just over 93 mph, alarming for a pitcher who once consistently hit 96 mph.

The Dodgers are taking on all of Díaz’s remaining salary, estimated at $2.95 million. This adds a significant burden due to luxury tax implications, effectively increasing the overall commitment to approximately $6.2 million. While this seems steep, the Dodgers may view this as an opportunity to rehabilitate a pitcher with immense potential, considering he remains under club control for several more seasons.

In addition to Díaz, the Reds will receive minor league right-hander Mike Villani as part of the deal. Drafted by the Dodgers in the 13th round last year, Villani has yet to showcase his potential in the minor leagues due to injuries. His fastball has been clocked at 98 mph, but questions persist regarding his secondary pitches and overall command.

Villani, viewed as a long-term project, adds an intriguing element to the trade but also highlights how much Díaz’s value has diminished. For the Dodgers, the upcoming weeks will be critical to assess whether they can unlock Díaz’s former prowess and solidify their bullpen for ongoing and future seasons.

As the Dodgers navigate this reclamation effort, they must also decide on Díaz’s status on the 40-man roster. If the team opts to waive him, there is a risk involved, as any team reluctant to take on his salary may reject the opportunity. Should the Dodgers proceed in this direction, Díaz would remain eligible to return to the minors without risking his future earnings.

Overall, the proceedings of this trade will not only impact the immediate performance of both teams but could shape the future trajectories of both players involved. With the season still in full swing, all eyes will be on Díaz’s integration into the Dodgers’ system and whether this gamble pays off in the long term.