DENVER — Catcher Elías Díaz, a fixture within the Colorado Rockies’ lineup for practically 5 years, was given his unconditional launch Friday, two days after the staff positioned him on waivers.
Díaz’s launch was the newest transfer within the Rockies’ ongoing youth motion. The membership chosen the contract of rookie Drew Romo from Triple A Albuquerque, the place the switch-hitting catcher and ninth-ranked prospect by MLB.com had hit .297 in 85 video games. The thirty fifth total choice within the 2020 draft, Romo had 14 house runs, 60 RBIs and three stolen bases.
Romo, 22, was anticipated to start out Saturday night time’s sport in opposition to the San Diego Padres in what could be his main league debut.
Díaz, 33, spent the primary half of his 10-year main league profession with the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier than coming to Colorado as a free agent in January 2020. He was within the closing yr of a three-year, $14.5 million contract.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Díaz hit .270 with 5 house runs and 36 RBIs in 84 video games this season. He hung out on the IL with a left calf damage and missed a handful of video games after returning as a consequence of a proper calf pressure.
Popular with his teammates and revered by the staff’s pitchers for his management and game-calling expertise, Díaz is also remembered for homering in final season’s All-Star Sport, incomes him the MVP award, the primary Rockies participant to be so honored.
“The strikes that we’re making should not come as a shock,” Rockies supervisor Bud Black mentioned. “I’ve talked in regards to the motion to get youthful, to see our youthful gamers. And a variety of our younger pitchers have hit our roster over this season. As we speak is one other instance of that, to deliver one in every of our younger gamers up.”
Black mentioned he referred to as Díaz into his workplace earlier Friday to tell him of the group’s resolution. It wasn’t a straightforward dialog.
“Transferring on from a man like Elias was tough in plenty of methods,” Black mentioned. “He was a giant a part of this staff for 4 years and we noticed him develop as a participant. We’re happy with Elias for what he did right here. He can maintain his head excessive and we will pull for him wherever he goes. However as you understand, issues change, gamers come, gamers go.”
In separate strikes, the Rockies additionally reinstated left-handed pitcher Lucas Gilbreath from the 60-day injured listing following his restoration from left elbow surgical procedure and optioned right-handed pitcher Riley Pint to Albuquerque.
