The 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t just been rotating arms—they’ve been burning through them. With Tuesday’s call-up of right-hander Alexis Díaz, the team has now used 35 different pitchers this season, a staggering total that includes two infielders who’ve combined to throw 10.1 innings in mop-up duty. That number reflects a team grappling with injuries, underperformance, and the sheer wear and tear of a long season.
Díaz, a former All-Star with the Reds, was acquired by Los Angeles in a May trade that also brought with it a significant financial commitment. The Dodgers took on the remainder of Díaz’s $4.5 million salary, plus the associated luxury tax hit—betting on a rebound from a reliever who once looked like a late-inning fixture. Instead, he arrived with a 12.00 ERA over six appearances in Cincinnati and didn’t fare much better in Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted a 9.64 ERA in 4.2 innings.
Dodgers Call Up Alexis Díaz Amidst Pitching Carousel of 2025 Season
Despite the rocky results, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains cautiously optimistic. “The arm still works,” Roberts said. “The stuff is still good. But the consistency of strike-throwing is what we haven’t seen yet from Alexis.”
With Díaz’s erratic command—seven walks and two hit batters in 4.2 Triple-A innings—he’s far from a lock for high-leverage work. But given the Dodgers’ bullpen attrition, any healthy arm with upside becomes valuable. Los Angeles has already leaned heavily on journeymen, prospects, and even position players to survive this stretch.
The team optioned Julian Fernández, who pitched two innings Monday, to make room for Díaz. Tyler Glasnow is expected to start Wednesday after an extended IL stint, and Landon Knack has been added to the taxi squad to ensure bullpen coverage.
For Díaz, this is a pivotal moment. The Dodgers control his rights through 2027, but unless he can recapture his All-Star form—or at least limit the walks—he’s trending toward a non-tender this winter. For now, he’s the latest name in the ever-expanding list of Dodgers pitchers, one that may still grow before the season is over.