Diaz signed a contract Tuesday with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported in April that Diaz agreed to a minor-league deal with the Mariners, but that contract never ended up getting finalized. The 31-year-old will now head to the independent ranks to attempt to keep his career going, and if he impresses in his initial appearances with Gastonia, he should be able to land another minor-league deal with an organization.
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Mariners' Jairo Diaz: Signs MiLB deal with Mariners
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Diaz signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Diaz made 24 relief appearances for the Rockies in 2020 and converted all four of his save chances with three holds while posting a 7.65 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 20 innings. He'll attempt to carve out a role at Triple-A Tacoma but will be in the mix to provide bullpen depth at some point this year.
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Rockies' Jairo Diaz: Clears waivers
Rotowire
Diaz cleared waivers and was outrighted to Colorado's alternate training site Monday.
Diaz failed to draw interest on waivers after being designated for assignment Thursday. He'll aim to stay sharp at Colorado's alternate training site until called upon by the big-league club.
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Rockies' Jairo Diaz: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Diaz was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Thursday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
The Rockies officially signed right-hander Jhoulys Chacin to a major-league contract Thursday, and Diaz was removed from the 40-man roster in a corresponding move. Diaz posted a 10.24 ERA and 2.17 WHIP in 9.2 innings during nine relief appearances this spring and will likely report to the team's alternate training site if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
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Rockies' Jairo Diaz: Tosses scoreless frame
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Diaz allowed two hits and no walks while striking out one over one scoreless inning in Saturday's spring loss to the White Sox.
Diaz allowed three runs during his last outing, but he was able to keep the White Sox in check during the fourth inning Saturday. The right-hander has posted a 10.24 ERA and 2.17 WHIP over 9.2 relief innings this spring. Diaz has recorded nine saves across the past two seasons but should serve as a setup man and late reliever in lower-leverage situations to begin the 2021 campaign.
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Rockies' Jairo Diaz: Avoids arbitration with Colorado
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Diaz agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration with the Rockies on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The 29-year-old had a chance to secure the closer's role in 2020 and picked up three saves with a 1.35 ERA in his first seven appearances, but he posted a 10.80 ERA in 17 games the rest of the season. Still, Colorado decided to give the right-hander the chance to get back on track in 2021, avoiding arbitration in the process.
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Rockies' Jairo Diaz: Rough campaign continues
Rotowire
Diaz (1-2) took the loss against the Giants on Tuesday, allowing three runs on three hits while registering only one out (via strikeout).
Diaz entered the contest in a 2-2 tie and immediately allowed the Giants to take the lead on an Alex Dickerson homer. The right-hander allowed two more hits prior to being pulled, and both runners came around to score after Diaz departed the game. Diaz had logged five straight scoreless appearances but still owns an unsightly 8.50 ERA on the campaign.
Diaz retired two hitters -- both via strikeout -- and surrendered seven runs on six hits and a walk Tuesday in the Rockies' 23-5 loss to the Giants.
After beginning August with three saves in as many appearances to emerge as the Rockies' preferred closing option, Diaz has been on a downward slide ever since. Not only has Diaz failed to pick up a save in his subsequent nine appearances, but he's torched his fantasy managers' ratios with a 17.55 ERA and 3.90 WHIP over 6.2 innings. It's safe to say that Diaz won't re-enter the Colorado closing picture anytime soon, with the likes of Daniel Bard, Carlos Estevez and the newly acquired Mychal Givens all representing better bets for saves at this point.
Diaz (1-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Diamondbacks after pitching a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and fanning one.
Diaz entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and allowed a leadoff double to Nick Ahmed, but he settled down afterward and retired Jon Jay, Carson Kelly and Kole Calhoun in order to complete his fifth straight scoreless inning. Diaz might have lost the ninth-inning role earlier this month, but he still owns a respectable 2.45 ERA in 13 appearances this season.
Rockies' Jairo Diaz: Loses hold on ninth-inning duties
Rotowire
Diaz allowed two runs (zero earned) on one hit and three walks while striking out one over 0.2 innings in Sunday's win against the Rangers. He didn't factor into the decision.
Even with the Rockies holding a comfortable 10-4 lead in the ninth inning, Diaz was called on to finish the game in Colorado. However, he struggled mightily with command, walking in two runs while only 12 of his 27 pitches went for strikes. He was unable to record the final out as he was pulled with the bases loaded and two outs in the final inning. Manager Bud Black said after the game that the Rockies won't use a "designated closer" role for now after Diaz's rough outing, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. While Diaz could still be used in some save situations, the uncertainty significantly hinders his fantasy value. Daniel Bard could be a strong candidate to handle ninth-inning duties in the coming games.
Diaz allowed one hit and one walk but pitched 1.1 innings to earn the save Thursday against the Giants.
Diaz was brought in with two outs in the eighth inning after the Giants scored a run to bring the Rockies' lead to 6-4. He walked the first batter he faced, but induced a groundout to close the frame. Diaz remained in the game for the ninth inning, and closed out the game with little drama. Diaz has now recorded three of the team's last four saves, and appears to be in line to continue to see save opportunities.
Diaz allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits Monday, earning a save in the win over the Giants.
After Diaz allowed a run on a sacrifice fly, the Giants scored a second run after a wild pitch and later a throwing error by Ryan McMahon. With Wade Davis (shoulder) stashed on the injured list, Diaz has now notched a save in two straight games.
