Dodgers Acquire Alexis Díaz, Place Phillips on IL \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded for former All-Star reliever Alexis Díaz from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor league pitcher Mike Villani. Díaz, once an elite closer, has struggled this season but offers bullpen depth amid a wave of injuries. Evan Phillips was moved to the 60-day IL to clear roster space.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, fighting to stabilize their championship-caliber roster amid one of the most staggering injury waves in recent franchise history, made a significant bullpen move on Thursday. The club acquired former All-Star closer Alexis Díaz from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor league pitcher Mike Villania promising but unproven right-hander drafted just last year.
This trade, while relatively modest on the surface, is emblematic of the Dodgers’ 2024 campaign—marked by star-studded ambition, unrelenting injuries, and a front office scrambling to reinforce its depth in real time. It also places renewed hope on Díaz, a once-dominant closer whose recent struggles led to a demotion but who could become a critical bullpen piece in Los Angeles if he rebounds.
The 28-year-old Díaz is no stranger to pressure. In 2022, he burst onto the scene with 83 strikeouts in 63.2 innings, earning a fifth-place finish in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He followed it up with a stellar 2023 season, compiling 37 savesa 3.07 ERAand an impressive workload across 67 appearances. His performance earned him NL All-Star honorsand he appeared poised to join the upper echelon of big-league closers alongside his brother, Edwin Díaz of the New York Mets.
But 2024 has been a different story.
Through just six appearances for the Reds this season, Díaz was shelled to the tune of a 12.00 ERAand his command issues resurfaced. By late April, he had lost his grip on the closer role, and within weeks he was sent down to Triple-A Louisville—a shocking fall for a pitcher making $4.5 million and expected to anchor Cincinnati’s bullpen.
With Los Angeles desperate for relief help and willing to gamble on a return to form, the Dodgers saw an opportunity to buy low on a reliever who once profiled as a postseason weapon.
“Díaz has the kind of electric arm that can flip a game when he’s right,” said an anonymous Dodgers scout. “We’ll see if our staff can help him rediscover that form.”
The Díaz acquisition comes at a time of extreme roster instability for the Dodgers, particularly on the pitching side. Evan Phillipsarguably the most consistent reliever in LA’s bullpen over the past two seasons, was placed on the 60-day injured list to create space for Díaz on the 40-man roster.
Phillips, who has not pitched since May 7 due to elbow discomfort, has yet to begin a throwing program—raising serious concerns about his availability for the second half of the season. Manager Dave Roberts admitted the team is “a little concerned” about Phillips’ slow progress.
Phillips’ absence is a major blow. In 2022 and 2023, he compiled 42 saves with a sub-2.00 ERA, becoming the Dodgers’ go-to high-leverage arm during their 2023 World Series run. His inability to return soon only heightens the urgency for external bullpen solutions.
But Phillips is far from alone. The Dodgers’ IL currently includes 14 pitchersaccounting for more than $100 million in combined salary. The names on that list read like an All-Star roster:
The attrition rate has left Roberts with a patchwork bullpen and forced GM Brandon Gomes to act swiftly in building depth wherever possible.
In exchange for Díaz, the Dodgers gave up Mike Villania 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who was selected in the 13th round of the 2023 draft out of Long Beach State. Though Villani lacks high-profile pedigree, he impressed in his first minor league season with a live fastball and a promising slider.
Villani is expected to be a developmental project for the Reds, who continue to build out their minor league system with an eye toward 2025 and beyond. While not a top prospect, Villani has the makeup and mechanics to evolve into a back-end starter or long reliever.
For Cincinnati, the trade clears payroll space and offloads a struggling veteran in Díaz while recouping an intriguing, low-risk arm.
With Díaz now in Dodger blue, the key question becomes: What role will he play? While his immediate deployment is likely to be in middle relief or low-leverage situations, the Dodgers will monitor closely to see if he can regain the consistency and velocity that defined his 2023 season.
Bullpen coach Josh Bard and pitching coach Mark Prior have a strong track record of reviving underperforming arms. Players like Ryan Brasier, Yency Almonteand even Evan Phillips found success in LA after struggling elsewhere. The team is hoping Díaz becomes their latest project-turned-success story.
“We’re not asking him to close games right away,” Roberts said Thursday. “We want to get him comfortable and see how he fits into our mix.”
The Dodgers’ approach with Díaz also reflects a broader organizational philosophy: accumulate upside arms with postseason experience, even if they carry baggage. With October in mind, LA is building a bullpen full of volatile but talented pieces—hoping to patch together enough consistency to survive the long season and thrive in short series.
If Díaz rebounds, he could provide a high-leverage weapon. If he doesn’t, the cost—one mid-round prospect—will be minimal.
As one NL executive put it: “It’s a classic Dodgers move. Low-risk, high-reward. They have the staff to fix pitchers. Now they just need time.”
The Díaz trade is unlikely to be the Dodgers’ last bullpen move this summer. With Phillips out indefinitely, and no firm return timeline for Treinen or Graterol, LA will likely explore the trade market for additional arms—possibly targeting underperforming relievers on expiring contracts or veteran setup men from non-contending teams.
Names to watch include:
At the same time, internal reinforcements could emerge. The Dodgers continue to evaluate young arms in Triple-A Oklahoma City, including Nick Frasso, Kyle Hurtand Landon Knackall of whom could see big-league innings soon.
Despite the injury chaos, the Dodgers remain one of the NL’s best teams and a favorite to contend for another title. Led by a star-studded offense that includes Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtaniand Freddie Freemanthe team continues to find ways to win—even as their pitching staff fights to stay upright.
The Díaz trade, modest though it may be, reflects the Dodgers’ resolve: no panic, just pragmatic moves aimed at keeping their championship window wide open.
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