Alexis

Díaz

It’s getting to that point in the spring where teams are trying to get their rosters ready for Opening Day, so large batches of cuts are the norm. There are no major surprises in this group. Bride could’ve possibly won a bench spot with a strong performance in the spring. Díaz will stay with the Rangers and try to work through his issues at the Triple-A level.

There was some hope that Díaz could pitch his way into the Rangers’ bullpen plans this season, but he has allowed eight runs on three hits while walking four and striking out one in just 1 2/3 innings this spring. His numbers, both in the majors and Triple-A last season, were also bad, and he has never quite been able to recapture that 2022 season magic. He’s only 29 years old, so some team will undoubtedly give him another chance, but we wouldn’t bank on him being a fantasy-relevant closer any time soon.

Diaz entered the spring as a dark horse candidate for saves in the Rangers’ bullpen, but this outing isn’t going to help his cause. He came on in the fourth inning after MacKenzie Gore started with three scoreless frames and immediately put the Rangers in a hole. He allowed a one-out triple to Austin Hays followed by a two-run blast from LaMonte Wade Jr. Diaz then issued a walk to Sam Antonacci and got a pop out before turning the ball over to Mason Thompson who allowed the inherited runner to score. Diaz got three whiffs on 23 pitches, posting a CSW of 30 percent. His fastball velocity averaged just 92.9 mph, down 0.6 mph from his 2025 mark. Robert Garcia and Chris Martin look to be the best bets for saves in the Rangers’ bullpen at the moment.

Schumaker allowed the thought that Alexis Diaz could eventually factor into the equation too if he pitches well in Spring Training. Garcia finished 2025 with a 2.95 ERA in 71 games, but had only nine saves and took eight losses out of the bullpen. Martin finished the year with two saves and has the more established track record, but is also entering his age-40 season. This looks like a situation that has yet to fully unfold in camp, but we’d bet on Garcia to be the best bet to close as of now.

The deal is now official. Díaz heads to Texas as a high-risk reclamation project after struggling to a bloated 8.15 ERA — 8.51 FIP — and 17/12 K/BB ratio across 17 2/3 innings between the Dodgers and Reds this past season. There’s zero reason to think based on his recent track record that he’ll be allowed anywhere near the ninth inning with the Rangers next season but stranger things have happened.

It’ll be a big league deal for the 29-year-old former closer, though the financial terms are not yet known. Díaz posted a miserable 8.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 17/12 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings between the Reds and Dodgers in 2025. Given his experience in the ninth inning, he should find himself in the mix to open the season as the Rangers’ closer.

The 29-year-old hurler refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett and will instead peddle his wares on the open market. The former Reds’ closer posted a miserable 8.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 17/12 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings between the Reds, Dodgers and Braves during the 2025 season. As a veteran hurler with experience in the ninth inning, he’ll surely land on his feet elsewhere on what will almost assuredly be a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp.

The lone surprise here is Kelenic as the former top prospect passed through waivers unclaimed and loses his spot on Atlanta’s 40-man roster. The 26-year-old batted just .195/.275/.268 across 91 plate appearances following an early-August demotion to the minors after posting a calamitous .531 OPS in 24 games at the big-league level this season. He’ll likely need to show some signs of life in the minors before he receives another opportunity at the highest level.

Díaz threw 25 pitches on Monday, and Atlanta needs fresh arms for their bullpen game during Tuesday’s doubleheader. The 28-year-old also has an 8.15 ERA in 17 2/3 innings this season, so there is a lot of work to be done to recapture any of his previous fantasy value.

Díaz was claimed off waivers by Atlanta on Sunday and will immediately bring him into their bullpen. The 28-year-old had a 5.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 9/2 K/BB ratio in nine innings for the Dodgers, so he’s no longer on the fantasy radar.