CINCINNATI — The
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His ERA ballooned to 12.00 after he gave up three consecutive home runs in the ninth inning of a 6-0 loss to the Cardinals in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.
Diaz began the season on the 15-day IL with a left hamstring strain. He had 28 saves last season but also walked 31 and allowed six homers in 56⅓ innings.
“We told him, ‘Hey, we’re not giving up on you. Just want you to be more consistent,'” Francona said. “We need him to help us win.”
The Reds recalled hard-throwing rookie right-hander Luis Mey from Triple-A on Thursday.
With Diaz on the IL, Emilio Pagan assumed the closer role. He’s tied for fourth in the NL with eight saves. His 11 perfect relief outings are the most for a Reds reliever through 15 appearances since John Franco in 1987.
