The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed right-handed reliever Jumbo Diaz off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, reported Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times).
#Rays claim RHP Jumbo Diaz – indeed listed at 6-4, 280 – off waivers from #Reds, move Eovaldi to 60-day DL
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 10, 2017
Diaz, who I wrote about Saturday, had been designated for assignment late last week when Cincinnati claimed Christian Walker from the Atlanta Braves. Tampa Bay placed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, who will miss the 2017 season following Tommy John/flexor surgery, on the 60-day disabled list to create a spot on the 40-man roster.
The 33 year-old right-hander held opponents to a 3.14 ERA in 43 innings for Cincinnati last season, however, he also displayed some troubling trends. Diaz posted career-worst marks in K/9 (7.7), BB/9 (4.0), S/Str (10.4 percent) and HR/9 (1.7 ), while his fastball velocity dropped from 97.73 mph at the start of the 2016 season, to 95.77 mph by season’s end.
A .239 BABIP and an 80% strand rate contributed to his impressive ERA mark last season, although his 4.60 xFIP and 4.24 SIERA forewarned of a more pessimistic outlook.
According to Baseball Prospectus, Diaz brandished a solid 3.55 Deserved Run Average (DRA), yet that figure is up from the 3.18 DRA he managed in 2015. If Diaz can improve on his peripherals, lower his walk rate back to 2015 levels (2.7), and maintain his 49% ground ball rate, he could be a solid pick-up.
Diaz is out of minor league options, so he will have to crack the Opening Day roster at the end of the month, or risk exposure to waivers before he can be sent to the minors.
The hard throwing righty is currently pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Jumbo has some velo, throwing first three pitches for DR team at 95, 97, 96, #Rays
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 12, 2017
The aptly nicknamed Diaz told Topkin it is a little weird not getting to join his new squad since he’s in the WBC, but has been getting filled in by Dominican/Rays teammate Alex Colome.