Jumbo Diaz, Relief Pitcher


Date of Birth: 2/27/1984
Birthplace: La Romana, Dominican Republic

Jumbo Diaz, relief pitcher, first signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in May, 2001. He pitched in the Dodgers' minor league system from 2002 through 2007.

Diaz became a free agent on October 29, 2007. He had Tommy John surgery in 2008 and he missed the entire season. He signed with the Texas Rangers on October 25, 2008. He pitched in their minor league system from 2009 until they released him on April 2, 2010.

Diaz signed with the Baltimore Orioles on April 5, 2010. He pitched in their minor league system in 2010 and 2011.

Diaz became a free agent again on November 2, 2011, and eight days later, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent the 2012 season in the minors.

After becoming a free agent on November 3, 2012, Diaz signed with the Cincinnati Reds on November 20th. He pitched in the minors in 2013.

Diaz finally made it to the major leagues in 2014, when he pitched in 36 games with the Reds. He finished with a 3.38 ERA, no wins and 1 loss, and 37 strikeouts to 14 walks in 34.2 innings. He also pitched in 30 games in the minors. The following season, he pitched in 61 games with the Reds and he finished with a 4.18 ERA in 60.1 innings.

In 2016, Diaz pitched in 45 games with the Reds. He finished the season with 1 win and 1 loss, 37 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 3.14 ERA in 43.0 innings.

Diaz was designated for assignment on March 6, 2017. He was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays on March 10th. The Rays designated him for assignment on July 17th and four days later, he elected free agency. He signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on July 31, 2017. He pitched in 31 games with the Rays in 2017 and he had a 5.70 ERA in 30.0 innings. He also pitched in 13 games in the minors.

Diaz became a free agent on November 6, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on January 12, 2018. He spent the 2018 season on the DL and in the minors.

Diaz elected free agency on November 2, 2018. He played in the Mexican League in 2019. He played in the Dominican Winter League and the Caribbean Series in 2019 and 2020.

Diaz played in the Mexican League and the Dominican Winter League in 2021.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jumbo Diaz
ESPN - Jumbo Diaz