Dodgers trading for volatile former All-Star Alexis Diaz

The Dodgers have struck a deal to acquire pitcher Alexis Diaz, the younger brother of Mets closer Edwin Diaz, from the Reds, The Post’s Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman reported.

The trade sends Los Angeles’ 2024 draft pick, Mike Villani, to Cincinnati in return as part of the deal. 

The deal ends Diaz’s time with the Reds after a tumultuous start to the year in which he was optioned to Triple-A Louisville and recorded a 4.61 ERA in 14 games in the minors this season. 

The plan is now for Diaz to report to the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City following the trade, according to The Athletic. 

Diaz had been on the Reds’ injured list to start the 2025 season due to a left hamstring strain and eventually returned to appear in six games, but struggled immensely, giving up eight earned runs in six innings of work. 

He only struck out three batters during that stretch and walked five before the Reds sent him down to Triple-A on May 1. 

Consistency has been a problem in the minors still, despite showing flashes of what made him an All-Star in 2023. 

Diaz struck out a career-best 86 batters in 67 1/3 innings pitched in 2023 while recording a 3.07 ERA. 

He still recorded solid numbers in 2024 when he had a 3.99 ERA in 56 1/3 innings pitched for the Reds before things took a turn in 2025. 

Villani was taken with a 13th-round pick by the Dodgers out of Long Beach State during last year’s draft and made his pro debut this season, throwing two innings in the Arizona Complex League, where he struck out five batters. 

He is currently on the seven-day injured list.