That timing strongly hints that Alexis Díaz is about to be activated and slotted back into the bullpen, possibly even reclaiming the closer role if he’s truly healthy.
The Reds have been treading water without a defined closer since Díaz’s IL stint began, and getting him back—ideally with better velocity and command—could bring much-needed stability late in games.
If the hamstring was indeed the root of his mechanical issues, then fans might see a return to the electric Díaz of 2022. The Reds will certainly be hoping that’s the case, especially as they aim to stay competitive in the NL Central.
Exactly — this is less about if Díaz returns to form, and more about how quickly he’s trusted in high-leverage spots. Francona is known for being cautious with returning players, so it wouldn’t be shocking if Díaz starts with lower-pressure innings, especially with Emilio Pagán holding things down fairly well so far.
Still, if Díaz shows early flashes of his old self — sharper command, better velocity, and that nasty slider — it may not take long for Francona to hand him back the ninth inning. The Reds clearly need the strikeout upside he brings, given the bullpen’s struggles in that department.
And with Cincinnati’s rotation doing the heavy lifting, the bullpen doesn’t need to be elite — just competent and dependable. A dialed-in Díaz could be the exact stabilizer they’ve been missing.
We’ll see soon enough if the hamstring cleanup really did reset the mechanics. Got any predictions for his first week back?
