Jose Rafael "Jumbo" Diaz (born February 27, 1984) is a Dominican former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays. He made his MLB debut in 2014. Diaz is nicknamed "Jumbo" for his large size; MLB.com lists him at and .
DÃÂaz was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001 and began his career the next season, appearing with the GCL Dodgers, South Georgia Waves and Great Falls Dodgers and going 5âÂÂ3 with a 2.82 ERA in 16 games (12 starts). He saw limited action in 2003 with the Ogden Raptors and South Georgia, going 0âÂÂ1 with a 6.62 ERA in seven games. He pitched for the Columbus Catfish and Vero Beach Dodgers in 2004 and went 1âÂÂ5 with 20 saves and a 2.00 ERA in 37 games. He saw limited action in 2005, 2006 and 2007, appearing in a total of 36 games. DÃÂaz had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2008 season.
DÃÂaz signed with the Texas Rangers for 2009 and was 3âÂÂ1 with 10 saves and a 3.63 ERA in 36 games for the Frisco RoughRiders. Following the season, the Rangers released him and he signed with the Baltimore Orioles, going 4âÂÂ0 with 16 saves and a 1.92 ERA in 45 games. DÃÂaz had 23 saves and a 2.62 ERA in 2011.
He then signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2012 and went 1âÂÂ2 with 3 saves and a 3.60 ERA in 41 games for the Indianapolis Indians. On April 29, he teamed with Justin Wilson and Doug Slaten on a no-hitter against the Durham Bulls.
DÃÂaz pitched in the Cincinnati Reds system in 2013, going 3âÂÂ4 with 13 saves and a 1.66 ERA for the Louisville Bats â he had a 1.03 WHIP and struck out 60 in 54.1 innings.
By the end of the 2013 campaign, DÃÂaz weighed nearly ; he shed prior to the 2014 season. DÃÂaz began 2014 with Louisville.
The Reds selected DÃÂaz's contract from Louisville on June 20, and he entered that night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning, allowing three runs in one inning. On June 24, he recorded his first MLB strikeout in Chicago against the Cubs. He finished the 2014 season with a 3.38 earned run average (ERA) in 34.2 innings pitched. DÃÂaz earned his first MLB save on September 15, 2015.
On March 10, 2017, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed DÃÂaz off waivers. He was designated for assignment on July 16. On July 19, DÃÂaz was assigned outright to the Triple-A Durham Bulls, but he elected free agency on July 21.
On July 31, 2017, DÃÂaz signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization. In 12 games for the TripleâÂÂA Fresno Grizzlies, DÃÂaz posted a 2.92 ERA with 11 strikeouts and 3 saves in innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.
On January 12, 2018, DÃÂaz signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. In 38 appearances split between the rookieâÂÂlevel Gulf Coast League Marlins and TripleâÂÂA New Orleans Baby Cakes, he accumulated a 6âÂÂ6 record and 2.18 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 12 saves. DÃÂaz elected free agency following the season on November 2.
On February 16, 2019, DÃÂaz signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. In 58 appearances for the Toros, he logged a 2âÂÂ6 record and 3.86 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 7 saves over 56 innings pitched. DÃÂaz became a free agent following the season.
On December 19, 2019, DÃÂaz signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, DÃÂaz made 21 appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 2âÂÂ0 record with a 1.89 ERA and 16 strikeouts. In 24 relief appearances in 2022, he struggled to a 1âÂÂ2 record with a 8.20 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
On June 21, 2022, DÃÂaz was traded to the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League. In 8 relief appearances, he posted a 0âÂÂ2 record with a 12.86 ERA and 4 strikeouts. DÃÂaz was released by Oaxaca on July 7.
After the 2020 season, DÃÂaz played for ÃÂguilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). He has also played for Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
On January 22, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays hired DÃÂaz to serve as an assistant pitching coach for their rookie-level affiliate, the Dominican Summer League Rays.