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Jumbo Díaz

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Jose Rafael "Jumbo" Diaz[1] (born February 27, 1984) is a Dominican former professional baseball relief pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2014 with the Cincinnati Reds, and has also played for the Tampa Bay Rays. Diaz is nicknamed "Jumbo" for his large size; MLB.com lists him at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 315 pounds (143 kg).

Jumbo Díaz
Díaz with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017
Pitcher
Born: (1984-02-27) February 27, 1984 (age 40)
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 20, 2014, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
July 16, 2017, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record4–7
Earned run average4.02
Strikeouts172
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Dominican Republic
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo Team

Professional career

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Los Angeles Dodgers

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Díaz was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001 and began his career the next season, appearing with the GCL Dodgers, South Georgia Waves and Great Falls Dodgers and going 5–3 with a 2.82 ERA in 16 games (12 starts). He saw limited action in 2003 with the Ogden Raptors and South Georgia, going 0–1 with a 6.62 ERA in seven games. He pitched for the Columbus Catfish and Vero Beach Dodgers in 2004 and went 1–5 with 20 saves and a 2.00 ERA in 37 games. He saw limited action in 2005, 2006 and 2007, appearing in a total of 36 games. Díaz had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2008 season.

Texas Rangers

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Díaz signed with the Texas Rangers for 2009 and was 3–1 with 10 saves and a 3.63 ERA in 36 games for the Frisco RoughRiders. Following the season, the Rangers released him and he signed with the Baltimore Orioles, going 4–0 with 16 saves and a 1.92 ERA in 45 games. Díaz had 23 saves and a 2.62 ERA in 2011.

Pittsburgh Pirates

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He then signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2012 and went 1–2 with 3 saves and a 3.60 ERA in 41 games for the Indianapolis Indians. On April 29, he teamed with Justin Wilson and Doug Slaten on a no-hitter against the Durham Bulls.

Cincinnati Reds

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Díaz pitched in the Cincinnati Reds system in 2013, going 3–4 with 13 saves and a 1.66 ERA for the Louisville Bats[2] – he had a 1.03 WHIP and struck out 60 in 54.1 innings.

By the end of the 2013 campaign, Díaz weighed nearly 350 pounds (160 kg); he shed 70 pounds (32 kg) prior to the 2014 season.[3] Díaz began 2014 with Louisville.[4]

The Reds selected Díaz's contract from Louisville on June 20,[5] and he entered that night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning, allowing three runs in one inning.[6] On June 24, he recorded his first MLB strikeout in Chicago against the Cubs. He finished the 2014 season with a 3.38 earned run average (ERA) in 34.2 innings pitched.[7] Díaz earned his first MLB save on September 15, 2015.[8]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On March 10, 2017, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed Díaz off waivers.[9] He was designated for assignment on July 16.[10] On July 19, Díaz was assigned outright to the Triple-A Durham Bulls, but he elected free agency on July 21.[11]

Houston Astros

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On July 31, 2017, Díaz signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization.[12] In 12 games for the Triple–A Fresno Grizzlies, Díaz posted a 2.92 ERA with 11 strikeouts and 3 saves in 12+1⁄3 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[13]

Miami Marlins

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On January 12, 2018, Díaz signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. In 38 appearances split between the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Marlins and Triple–A New Orleans Baby Cakes, he accumulated a 6–6 record and 2.18 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 12 saves. Díaz elected free agency following the season on November 2.[14]

Mexican League

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On February 16, 2019, Díaz signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[15] He became a free agent following the season. On December 19, 2019, Díaz signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. Díaz did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] In 2021, Díaz made 21 appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 2–0 record with a 1.89 ERA. He re-signed for the 2021 season. In 24 relief appearances, he registered a 1–2 record with a 8.20 ERA. On June 21, 2022, Díaz was traded to the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[17] In 8 relief appearances, he posted a 0–2 record with a 12.86 ERA. Díaz was released on July 7, 2022.[1]

International career

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After the 2020 season, Díaz played for Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). He has also played for Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series and the 2020 Summer Olympics.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jumbo Diaz Stats, Highlights, Bio – Indianapolis Indians Stats". Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  2. ^ "Reds' Jose 'Jumbo' Diaz could have breakout season". Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  3. ^ "Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose". Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  4. ^ "Jumbo Diaz Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com". Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  5. ^ Sheldon, Mark (June 20, 2014). "Jumbo's journey to Majors culminates in Cincinnati". MLB.com. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  6. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays at Cincinnati Reds Box Score, June 20, 2014 - Baseball-Reference.com". Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  7. ^ "Jumbo Diaz". Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  8. ^ "Todd Frazier homers in 10th as Reds hold off Giants 9–8". Fox Sports. September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  9. ^ "Rays claim Jumbo Diaz off of waivers".
  10. ^ Topkin, Marc (July 16, 2017). "Rays DFA Jumbo Diaz, promote Andrew Kittredge". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  11. ^ "Triple-A East Transactions | Durham Bulls Stats".
  12. ^ Adams, Steve (July 31, 2017). "Astros, Jumbo Diaz Agree To Minors Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  13. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  14. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  15. ^ "Jumbo Díaz fortalecerá bullpen de Toros de Tijuana" (in Spanish). February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season". July 2020.
  17. ^ ""LA MOCHA" DEL JUMBO DÍAZ LLEGA A OAXACA". guerreros.mx (in Spanish). June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
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