The Cincinnati Reds will be without one of their bullpen arms for at least the next couple of weeks.
On Monday, the team announced that left-handed reliever Sam Moll has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a shoulder impingement.
The move is retroactive to April 11, which means the earliest Moll could return is later this month, assuming he progresses without setbacks.
Moll’s start to the 2025 season has been less than ideal. The veteran southpaw has appeared in just three games so far, and the results have been concerning.
Over the course of two innings pitched, he’s allowed four earned runs on three hits while issuing three walks and recording just one strikeout. His command has been off, and his inability to find the strike zone has made him a liability out of the bullpen.
Moll hasn’t pitched since April 6 against the Milwaukee Brewers, a further indication that the shoulder issue has likely been bothering him for some time.
With Moll sidelined, the Reds are expected to turn to a familiar face to help bolster their relief corps—right-hander Alexis Díaz.
The 2023 All-Star missed the start of the season after suffering a hamstring injury in spring training and was dealing with some significant control issues during Cactus League play. While the injury itself seems to be behind him, Díaz’s performance during his rehab stint at Triple-A Louisville hasn’t exactly inspired confidence.
In five appearances with the Louisville Bats, Díaz gave up six hits and four earned runs while walking four batters. His command continues to be an issue, and his ERA during the rehab assignment reflects that.
The Reds may be bringing him back out of necessity rather than readiness, as they continue to search for reliable bullpen options.
Given those struggles, it would be unwise for manager Terry Francona to immediately slot Díaz back into the closer’s role. While Díaz has proven himself in the past—most notably in 2023 when he earned an All-Star nod—his current form suggests he still needs time to work through his mechanics and regain his confidence.
The Reds have already seen how costly bullpen decisions can be this season. On Opening Day, with a narrow one-run lead over the San Francisco Giants heading into the ninth inning, Francona opted to give the ball to Ian Gibaut in a high-leverage situation.
The move backfired when Gibaut surrendered a three-run home run, and Cincinnati went on to lose 6-4. That game served as a reminder of how delicate late-inning management can be, especially with a bullpen still trying to find its identity.
With Díaz returning, Francona will have another option at his disposal, but the Reds can’t afford to throw him back into the fire too soon. Expect the team to ease Díaz back into action, likely using him in lower-leverage situations until he shows signs of his previous form.
The Reds’ bullpen, like much of their roster, is a work in progress, and while Díaz’s return adds depth, it doesn’t instantly solve their late-inning concerns.
So while Sam Moll’s injury clears a roster spot for Alexis Díaz, the role he’ll be returning to will look very different than the one he left.
The Reds will hope that with some time and patience, Díaz can reclaim his dominant form—but for now, he’s just another piece in a bullpen puzzle that still needs solving.
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