The Atlanta Braves have claimed right-hander Alexis DÃaz off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic. With an open spot on their 40-man roster, Atlanta did not need to make a corresponding move to add the reliever.
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DÃaz, who turns 29 later this month, arrived in Los Angeles earlier this season in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. He had struggled before the deal, allowing eight runs across six innings, and the Dodgers initially stashed him at Triple-A Oklahoma City in hopes of helping him rediscover his form. Instead, DÃaz posted an 8.10 ERA in 11 appearances with OKC and a 5.00 ERA in nine outings for the Dodgers. He was designated for assignment last week to clear space for catcher Ben Rortvedt.
Overall, DÃaz has logged 15 MLB appearances this year between Cincinnati and Los Angeles, pitching to a 7.80 ERA with diminished strikeout (16.9%) and walk (9.9%) rates.
It’s a sharp decline from the pitcher who looked like one of baseball’s most dominant young arms just two years ago. As a rookie in 2022, DÃaz delivered a 1.84 ERA over 59 appearances, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. In 2023, he earned an All-Star nod and recorded 37 saves as the Reds’ closer. Across his first two seasons, DÃaz owned a stellar 2.47 ERA with a 31.2% strikeout rate, despite some control issues.
Since then, however, his swing-and-miss stuff has regressed. Last season began with an ugly 8.68 ERA in May, though a scoreless September helped him finish with more respectable numbers (3.99 ERA). Even then, his strikeout rate dipped to 22.7%, raising concerns about his long-term effectiveness.
The Braves are taking a chance that DÃaz can regain his early-career dominance. Eligible for arbitration again this winter after making $4.5 million in 2024, he could become a non-tender candidate if his struggles continue. Still, Atlanta’s willingness to take fliers on talented but inconsistent players gives DÃaz another opportunity to reestablish himself in a new environment.