Braves Acquire Alexis Diaz in MLB Trade Rumors

Here are three boxes, formatted as requested, and inserted into the text at logical points.I’ve aimed for placement that adds context or breaks up longer sections.ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2025 – The Atlanta braves have added pitcher Alexis Diaz to their roster, claiming him off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. This move fills a need for Atlanta, which had an open spot on its 40-man roster.

Diaz’s Journey: From Rising Star to Waiver claim

Diaz, who turns 29 later this month, has had a tumultuous year. Traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Dodgers earlier this season, he struggled immensely. After surrendering eight runs in six innings with the Reds, Los Angeles sent him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. There, he posted a 8.10 ERA in 11 appearances. He later pitched for the big league club, recording a 5.00 ERA in nine outings before being designated for assignment. In total, Diaz appeared in 15 major league games this year, with a 7.80 ERA, a 16.9% strikeout rate,and a 9.9% walk rate.

Did you know? – Waiver claims allow teams to acquire players from other organizations without giving up prospects in a trade. The claiming team assumes the player’s contract.

These recent struggles mark a important departure from Diaz’s impressive start in the majors. he burst onto the scene with the Reds in 2022, posting a remarkable 1.84 ERA over 59 appearances. His stellar performance earned him fifth-place votes for NL Rookie of the Year. The following season, he was an All-Star and recorded 37 saves as Cincinnati’s primary closer. Across his first two big league seasons, Diaz boasted a 2.47 ERA with a 3.42 FIP, a 31.2% strikeout rate,and a 12.8% walk rate. His overpowering stuff often overwhelmed hitters, leading to elite results.

Cracks Appear and Questions Arise

Despite his early success, cracks began to show last season. Diaz allowed three runs in just one out in his season debut, and his ERA ballooned to 8.68 in May. A strong September, where he didn’t allow any earned runs, helped salvage his overall numbers, finishing with a 3.99 ERA and 4.28 FIP.However, even that strong finish saw his strikeout rate dip to 24.2%, and his season-long 22.7% strikeout rate suggested a decline in his raw stuff.

Pro tip: – A pitcher’s FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) attempts to isolate a pitcher’s performance, removing the impact of defense and luck. It’s a key metric for evaluating pitching talent.

given these question marks over the past two years, the Braves are taking a chance on Diaz. They aim to help him regain his previous form as the season winds down. He will be eligible for arbitration for the second time this offseason,having earned $4.5 million last season. It’s possible he could be a non-tender candidate, but Atlanta might see enough potential in his past performance to keep him in the organization. The Braves have been active on the waiver wire this year, looking to add talent to a team that’s had a difficult season, with infielder Ha-Seong Kim being their most notable acquisition.

Reader question: – Could the Braves’ pitching coaches help Diaz rediscover his velocity and command? His past success suggests the potential is still there.

• The Atlanta Braves have claimed pitcher Alexis diaz off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Diaz, who turns 29 this month, struggled considerably with the Dodgers this season after