The Kansas City Royals have bolstered their catching depth with the addition of veteran backstop Elias Díaz, agreeing to a minor league contract with the 11-year veteran who will join the big league camp next week. The move provides the organization with an experienced option behind perennial All-Star Salvador Perez as spring training continues in Surprise, Arizona.
Elias Díaz Brings All-Star Experience to Kansas City
The 35-year-old Venezuelan was an All-Star with Colorado in 2023, a season that represented the peak of his career. He was named an All-Star in 2023 when he hit .267/.316/.409 with 14 home runs, showcasing the offensive capabilities that made him one of the National League's more productive catchers that season.
Díaz spent his first five seasons in Pittsburgh and the next four in Colorado before the Rockies traded him to the Padres during the 2024 season. Throughout his career, the veteran catcher has demonstrated reliability and consistency behind the plate, making him an attractive depth option for contending teams.
Recent Performance with San Diego Padres
Díaz spent last season with the San Diego Padres, hitting .204 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 106 games. While the batting average represented a career low, it was Díaz's lowest career average when getting at least 250 at-bats, the veteran still provided value in other areas of his game.
Despite the offensive struggles, the 35-year-old has one of the quickest pop times in baseball behind the plate, threw out 23 percent of would-be basestealers last year, and rates well in blocking and framing metrics. These defensive skills remain highly valuable, particularly for a team looking to add experienced depth to their catching corps.
Royals' Catching Situation and Depth Chart
Salvador Perez, a nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, has been Kansas City's starting catcher since 2013. The 35-year-old Perez remains one of baseball's premier catchers, but adding veteran depth behind him has been a priority for the organization.
The Royals may be looking for a veteran catcher to carry on the roster behind Salvador Perez and Carter Jensen to allow them to play one of those players at first or DH. This flexibility could prove crucial throughout the long regular season, allowing manager Matt Quatraro to keep his best bats in the lineup while managing the physical demands on his primary catcher.
The team already signed veteran Jorge Alfaro, who was teammates with Díaz in Colorado in 2023. The reunion of former teammates could provide additional chemistry and competition within the catching group as both veterans compete for a roster spot.
Path to the Major League Roster
While Díaz signed a minor league contract, his invitation to big league camp next week gives him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during spring training. The veteran will need to demonstrate that his defensive skills and leadership qualities outweigh his recent offensive struggles to earn a spot on the opening day roster.
The Royals are coming off a successful 2025 season and are looking to build on that momentum. Adding experienced players like Díaz on minor league deals represents a low-risk, high-reward strategy that could pay dividends if the veteran can recapture some of his 2023 form.
As spring training progresses, all eyes will be on how Díaz performs in Cactus League action and whether he can secure a role with the Royals as they prepare for the 2026 season. His defensive prowess and veteran presence could make him a valuable asset, even if his primary role is mentoring younger catchers and providing insurance behind Perez.
Sources & Original Reporting
