Dodgers latest roster move totally explains early plunge with Alexis Diaz trade

Will the Los Angeles Dodgers unlock Alexis Diaz? We have no idea. But the Thursday trade with the Cincinnati Reds was a shrewd one, especially since the former All-Star closer's stock was at an all-time low. Even if he doesn't emerge as a contributor, it won't matter. The Dodgers only had to give up Mike Villani.

But we see what you did there, Dodgers. You made a high-profile trade in late May and briefly turned the baseball world upside down. For a moment, fans were distracted by the reality. Soon enough, everybody realized why this was an essential chance LA needed to take.

After Diaz was officially acquired, the Dodgers placed Evan Phillips on the 60-day injured list. You know what the means! Phillips' injury is of course worse than originally expected, as has been the story with so many Dodgers players in 2025.

Phillips hit the shelf back on May 7 with elbow inflammation. He was supposed to be shut down for two weeks. Fans knew that would put him in danger of returning within the month, but when the shutdown period extended to three weeks, it was looking grim.

And so came the official decision to free up space on the 40-man roster. The Dodgers couldn't take the chance of being undermanned like that on the pitching side for the foreseeable future, especially with all of Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda performing poorly.

Dodgers News: Evan Phillies placed on 60-day IL to make room for Alexis Diaz

This means Phillips won't be eligible to return until July 6 at the earliest. His elbow troubles come directly after the 30-year-old was dealing with a shoulder injury dating back to the 2024 World Series — something that should have fans even more concerned about his status.

Even after a shaky 2024, Phillips is one of the Dodgers' most valuable relievers with how he's deployed by manager Dave Roberts. His 2.22 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 221 strikeouts in 195 innings since joining the Dodgers speak to his elite abilities.

Phillips rejoins a fleet of Dodgers pitchers currently on the IL: Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Michael Grove, River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Emmet Sheehan, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen and Kirby Yates. It's bleak out there, but LA has managed to stay afloat.

All the more reason they probably need Diaz to work out and why they got ahead of making the trade so quickly.