Photo Credit: John Ellis
- KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City T-Bones announced today the Cincinnati Reds have purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Carlos Diaz.
The news comes just four days after the Chicago Cubs organization signed T-Bones lefty James Buckelew.
In 2018, Diaz was a strong bullpen force for Kansas City, pitching 18.2 innings in 18 games for the T-Bones with nine saves, a 0.48 ERA and 27 strikeouts. He had not allowed a run in nine straight innings and eight straight appearances.
Diaz returned to the American Association this year after spending part of last season with the Miami Marlins organization. He pitched two scoreless innings in the Gulf Coast Rookie League for the Marlins before moving on to Low-A Greensboro in the South Atlantic League. He worked three games, covering two innings and not allowing a single run for the Grasshoppers.
Diaz began 2017 with the Gary SouthShore RailCats where he went 2-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 42.1 innings. He led all Gary pitchers with a .164 opponents' batting average, and he struck out 63 while walking just 17 in 42 1/3 innings. The Marlins purchased Diaz contract on August 6th from Gary.
The lefty from La Vega, Dominican Republic was originally signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Indians organization in 2012. He posted a 2-5 record in his rookie season with the Dominican Summer League with a 2.82 ERA in 51 innings then followed that season by going 1-2 with a 7.62 ERA in 13 innings of relief in Gulf Coast League for the Indians. Diaz stepped away from the game for two years but returned in 2016 in the Pecos League, tossing 17 innings with a 5.29 ERA in 17 innings and adding 20 strike outs.
Diaz is the 34th Kansas City player, and the fourth this season, to have his contract purchased while with the T-Bones. In May, the Washington Nationals purchased the contract of outfielder Adam Brett Walker and the New York Mets purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Cody Martin. On July 3, the Cubs purchased the contract of left-handed T-Bones pitcher James Buckelew.
The T-Bones are second in the American Association with a .652 winning percentage a 30-16 record. Kansas City has won seven of their last ten games and are looking for a sweep against the Texas Airhogs in Grand Prairie, Tex. Saturday evening. They’ll then take on the Lincoln Saltdogs for three games before returning to T-Bones Stadium Friday, July 13 for a four-game homestand against the St. Paul Saints (24-22).
Season, group, mini-plans and nightly party suites are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Box Office at T-Bones Stadium. Call the Box Office at 913-328-5618 or purchase and print at www.tbonesbaseball.com. Box office hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday – Friday and10:00 am to 2:00 pm Saturday. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the T-Bones Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to www.tbonesbaseball.com. and the T-Bones Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.
