The Los Angeles Dodgers are buying low on an All-Star closer as they look to reinforce their bullpen.
The reigning World Series champs have acquired right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor-league reliever Mike Villani, the team announced Thursday.
Diaz has had a brutal 2025 campaign, making only six appearances for the Reds while putting up a 12.00 ERA with four home runs and three strikeouts.
The 28-year-old has not pitched in MLB since April 30 after the Reds demoted him to triple-A. Over 14 appearances with the Louisville Bats, Diaz has a 4.61 ERA, two home runs and 16 strikeouts and has recorded two saves.
Diaz enjoyed a productive 2023 campaign that saw him put up a 3.07 ERA and 37 saves in 71 appearances for Cincinnati, en route to his first and only All-Star nod.
Heading back the other way in the exchange will be Villani, who is currently on the 7-day IL for the Dodgers’ rookie-A affiliate. He has no earned runs to his name over his two appearances in the Arizona Complex League and has one save.
Villani, 22, was drafted by the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of California State University, Long Beach.