The Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers have struck a deal today. The Reds are 28-29 this season, seven and a half games back from the division-leading Chicago Cubs. Cincinnati has been off to a sluggish start. They currently sit in fourth place in the NL Central as May comes to a close. Most recently, Alexis Diaz has been pitching in Louisville. However, in the Cincinnati Reds trade, he has been dealt to the Dodgers today. In return, the Reds received Mike Villani, a right-handed pitcher from the Dodgers organization.
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Alexis Diaz
Diaz has struggled this year. This led to the Reds optioning him to Triple-A once he was able to come off the injured list. The 2023 All-Star pitched in six games this year for the Reds. He recorded a 12.00 ERA, a 2.17 WHIP, and allowed a .308 batting average against. Control and the long ball were a major issue for Diaz this year. In the six innings he worked for the team before the trade, Diaz allowed four home runs. He walked five batters. He struck out just three. His control in Triple-A was not much better, as he issued 12 walks and hit two other batters in 13.2 innings worked this year. Diaz had a 1-2 record with a 4.61 ERA for the Louisville Bats.
Mike Villani
The Reds have received right-handed twenty-two-year-old Mike Villani in return for Diaz. Villani has pitched in two games in the Arizona Complex League for the Dodgers. Clearly a promising outcome of the Cincinnati Reds’ trade with the Dodgers, he has one hold, one save, and has yet to allow a run. Villani has struck out five in two innings without allowing a hit or a walk.
