Jairo Jose DÃÂaz Hernandaz (born May 27, 1991) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2014 and also played for the Colorado Rockies from 2015 to 2020, missing 2016 due to Tommy John surgery.
In 2014, Diaz played for the Inland Empire 66ers of the HighâÂÂA California League and the Arkansas Travelers of the DoubleâÂÂA Texas League, and pitched to a 3.48 earned run average (ERA) with 85 strikeouts in innings pitched. The Angels promoted him to the major leagues on September 8. DÃÂaz made his MLB debut that day, recording two strikeouts.
On December 11, 2024, the Angels traded DÃÂaz to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Josh Rutledge. During the 2015 season, DÃÂaz had a 3âÂÂ5 record and a 4.58 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 47 appearances for the Albuquerque Isotopes of the TripleâÂÂA Pacific Coast League and a 2.37 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 21 appearances with the Rockies. During spring training in 2016, DÃÂaz tore a ligament in his right elbow that would require Tommy John surgery. DÃÂaz was designated for assignment on June 10, 2018, and subsequently released on June 14. A day later, he re-signed with the Rockies to a minor league contract. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.
On December 21, 2018, DÃÂaz re-signed to a minor league contract. He was called up on May 22, 2019, to the MLB roster. He would remain in the bullpen for the Rockies for the remainder of the season, posting a record of 6âÂÂ4 in 56 games with 5 saves. In 2020, his performance regressed as he finished with a 7.65 ERA in 24 games with 4 saves. His control also worsened as he induced 14 walks in 20 innings. On April 1, 2021, DÃÂaz was designated for assignment following the signing of Jhoulys ChacÃÂn. On April 5, DÃÂaz was outrighted to the alternate training site. DÃÂaz spent the 2021 season with Triple-A Albuquerque. There, he made 9 appearances and struggled to a 7.36 ERA with 10 strikeouts. On October 5, DÃÂaz elected free agency.
On April 6, 2022, DÃÂaz signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. On June 7, it was announced that DÃÂaz's deal with the Mariners had never been finalized, and that he was signing with an independent team.
On June 7, 2022, DÃÂaz signed with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He appeared in 4 games, going 0âÂÂ1 with a 5.40 ERA and 1 strikeout in innings pitched. DÃÂaz was released by the team on July 19.