The Texas Rangers have made a notable roster move, designating right-hander Alexis Díaz for assignment. In his place, the team welcomes veteran lefty Jalen Beeks, confirming his one-year deal.
Díaz, who joined the Rangers with a $1 million contract, has struggled to find his rhythm. The former Reds All-Star has had a tough spring, walking four of the 13 batters he faced in just three games. His command issues, which plagued him last season with a 14.1% walk rate in the majors and over 16% in Triple-A, continue to be a significant concern.
For the Rangers, this move might have been part of a larger strategy. It’s becoming common for teams to sign players with less than five years of service time to modest contracts and then try to pass them through waivers. With Díaz having 3.088 years of service, if he goes unclaimed, he’s likely to accept an assignment to Triple-A, providing the Rangers with some depth and a potential reclamation project.
Díaz showed promise early in his career, reminiscent of his brother Edwin Díaz. In 2022, he made a splash with a 3.07 ERA over 63 2/3 innings, notching 10 saves and 13 holds with an impressive 32.5% strikeout rate. However, his walk rate was a glaring issue, and his performance has declined since.
Last season was particularly challenging. After a rough start with the Reds, he was sent down to Triple-A and then traded to the Dodgers, where his struggles continued. A brief stint with the Braves didn’t fare much better, culminating in an 8.15 ERA over 17 2/3 innings in the majors and a 5.61 ERA in Triple-A.
Despite his past success, Díaz is now two years removed from being a top-tier reliever. The Rangers have a five-day window to explore trade options before potentially placing him on waivers.
Any team claiming him would assume his $1 million salary. If unclaimed, he’s likely to stay with the organization, as rejecting the assignment would mean giving up his guaranteed salary.