Raymar returns to the Bluefish for his second season in the Atlantic League and 10th of professional baseball. In 13 starts with Bridgeport last year the righthander posted a 10-1 record with a 4.12 ERA and 55 strikeouts over the course of 83 innings pitched.

Diaz is one of five pitchers in Bluefish history to win their first six decisions as a member of the starting rotation to start a season. Steve Renko (1999), Pat Ahearne (1999), Alan Mahaffey (2002) and Luther Hackman (2006) were the other hurlers to have accomplished that feat. Diaz won six consecutive starts until picking up a no-decision on August 18. The franchise record is seven straight victories by Mahaffey.

Before joining the independent ranks in 2009, the 28-year-old spent his entire career with the Houston Astros organization. He reached as high as Salem in the Carolina League (High A), pitching there from 2006-2008. The Dominican native’s best season in Salem came in 2007, when he went 8-7 with a 3.87 ERA in 33 games (20 starts). He added 116 strikeouts in 137.1 innings on the mound. Raymar has a career 57-41 record in the minor leagues, with a 3.72 ERA and 722 strikeouts in 271 games, including 103 starts.

Diaz was originally drafted out of Laredo Community College by the Houston Astros in the 47th round of the 2002 amateur draft.