Miguel Diaz Says Goodbye to Astros
Throwing a curveball into the sports world, the Houston Astros announced that pitcher Miguel Diaz took the leap into free agency after no one snagged him off outright waivers—reported first hand by the guys, including Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.
Diaz's time in an Astros jersey? Blink and you'd have missed it. Just last week, Houston claimed him off the Tigers and yup, he showcased his skills in one whole game. But hold the applause—it was a scoreless inning before he got the boot for Astros' newbie Blair Henley.
Caught in a jam with no minor league options left, Houston had one play to make: designate him for assignment (DFA). Diaz isn't a fresh face in the majors though—he was with the San Diego Padres from 2017 right up until 2021. Back in the day, he even got the Rule 5 pick seal of approval from the Padres.
What's the Deal with Miguel Diaz?
Look, his early days were a bit rough, but that's what happens when you've got a guy who's never pitched past High-A suddenly in the big leagues. Flash-forward to his stint with Detroit between 2022–23—Diaz was slingin' heat! Pitching 17 2/3 innings and only letting in two runs. But guess what? The waiver wire didn't light up. Could it be skepticism or just bad timing?
Even his 5.05 ERA isn't exactly screaming 'pick me' from the top affiliate in Detroit last season, but don't let that fool you. Diaz rocked a 28.6% strikeout rate, which, by the way, beats the league average. Now, free as a bird, he's eyeing a minor league deal. Swing-and-miss numbers like that? He won't be in the dugout for long.
One and Done: Miguel Diaz Bids Farewell to Astros!
Pitcher Miguel Diaz is back on the market! After a brief stint with the Houston Astros, where he pitched just one scoreless inning, Diaz finds himself waving goodbye. The Astros had scooped him up from the Detroit Tigers, but with no minor league options left, they had to bid him adieu to make room for newcomer Blair Henley.
The San Diego Saga
Diaz is no rookie to the majors; his journey began when the San Diego Padres nabbed him as a Rule 5 pick. Despite a rocky start, thanks to a leap straight from High-A ball to the big leagues, Diaz eventually got into his groove.
Detroit Days
Still, the Tigers gave him a shot, and Diaz did impress with a measly 17 2/3 innings pitch yielding only two runs. But skeptics abound, and he passed through waivers without a nibble. Last year's 5.05 ERA with Detroit’s top affiliate didn't set the world on fire, but his solid 28.6% strikeout percentage hinted at potential.
Attracting interest should be a breeze for Diaz with those swing-and-miss abilities. Teams in need of a strikeout artist could be on the lookout, so stay tuned as Diaz pitches for a new squad! Will he be a standout or a fadeout? Only time will tell!
Editor: Vitalina Patskan
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