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In the ninth inning of the first game of two on Wednesday, Alexis Díaz collapsed with the Cincinnati Reds trailing by just one run. Díaz would hit the first batter before surrendering three consecutive home runs to the Cardinals' potent offense.
The Reds would lose both games, and on Thursday morning, optioned Díaz to Triple-A Louisville, recalling Luis Mey.
Díaz has struggled this season, but the issues began last season. Díaz saved 28 of 32 chances last year but did so with a declining strikeout rate and a 3.99 ERA. So far this season, Díaz has endured many of the same issues that arrived last year, a 12.00 ERA over just six appearances is not a reassuring sight for the Reds.
Díaz did have a slow start to the season following a hamstring injury that held him out of games until April 15, but the results have not been favorable for the former All-Star.
"We told him, 'Hey man, we're not giving IP on you. We just want you to go and be more consistent,' " manager Terry Francona told reporters, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "Because we need him to help us win."
Francona seems to believe the closer will get right and be back with the Reds in due time, but for now, they went a different direction.
The Reds recalled Mey in Díaz's place. Mey is 23 years old and ranks 20th in the Reds' prospect rankings. He also has an electric fastball that has set a record for the hardest pitch ever thrown at Day Air Ballpark for the Dayton Dragons, the Reds' High-A affiliate, with a 103 mph fastball last season.
The Reds hope Díaz regains his form and can be back helping the team win later this season.
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About the writer
Hunter Mulholland is a Newsweek contributor based in St. Louis, Missouri. His focus is MLB Content. Hunter has been with ... Read more