The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a potential huge addition, acquiring former All-Star closer Alexis Diaz from the Cincinnati Reds.
In return, the Dodgers are sending 2024 draft pick Mike Villani to Cincinnati.
Villani, 22, was selected in the 13th round of the 2024 draft. The right-handed pitcher has made just two appearances at Rookie Ball this year, pitching two shutout innings with five strikeouts.
Now, he’s heading to Cincinnati, with the 2023 All-Star heading back to Los Angeles.
This is the second trade the Dodgers have made with the Reds this year. The first came over the offseason, when the Dodgers shipped Gavin Lux to the Reds for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a draft pick. That trade has already worked out well for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers will work with Diaz to get him back to his 2023 form, when he was an All-Star closer for the Reds. That year, he had a 3.07 ERA with 37 saves and 86 strikeouts over 67.1 innings pitched.
