Elias Diaz, the 2023 All-Star Game MVP, agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on Monday.
The Colorado Rockies released the 33-year-old catcher on August 16.
Diaz launched a two-run homer in the eighth inning of last season’s All-Star Game, giving the National League a 3-2 win over the American League.
Diaz batted.270 with five home runs and 36 RBIs in 84 games for the Rockies this season before being released.
Diaz is regarded as a standout game management behind the plate. That asset would benefit the San Diego squad, which has been platooning Kyle Higashioka and Luis Campusano at catcher. Specifically, Diaz would be a significant improvement over Campusano.
Before signing with the Padres, Diaz reportedly turned down offers from San Francisco because the Giants refused to guarantee his spot on the roster when starter Patrick Bailey (oblique) returned from injury.
Diaz has played in the major leagues for ten seasons.252 hitter with 61 home runs and 294 RBIs in 712 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2015-19) and the Colorado Rockies (2020-24).
San Diego also brought up right-hander Randy Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso to start Monday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Vasquez yielded two runs in six innings in his 18th major league start of the season, lowering his ERA to 4.52. He had a 3-6 record going into the game and won 7-4 for the Padres.
The Padres also optioned right-hander Lake Bachar to El Paso. Bachar was brought up before Sunday’s game against the New York Mets to aid the bullpen, but he did not play.
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