The San Francisco Giants received unfortunate news this week when it was announced that their catcher, Patrick Bailey, would be placed on the injured list (IL) due to an oblique injury. This has created a need for additional catching support, and the recently released Elias Díaz could be a potential solution.
The Colorado Rockies recently placed veteran catcher Elias Díaz on outright waivers, making him a free agent. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants might be interested in signing Díaz following Bailey’s injury.
Díaz, who has been with the Rockies since 2020, is well-known to Giants fans. Many may recall his game-winning home run in the 2023 All-Star Game, which earned him MVP honors and helped the National League secure their first win in the event since 2012.
Before his release, Díaz was having a solid season with the Rockies, posting a .270/.315/.378 slash line with 5 home runs and 36 RBIs in 84 games. The Rockies’ decision to let him go was likely to make room for rookie catcher Drew Romo.
The Giants appear to be strong candidates to sign Díaz. Although Bailey is only on the 10-day IL, oblique injuries can be unpredictable, and if the Giants anticipate a longer absence, they may need additional depth at catcher.
Currently, the Giants have Curt Casali and Jakson Reetz as catchers on their roster. While both are competent, the team would benefit from more offensive production, especially if Bailey is sidelined for an extended period. Díaz could provide that offensive boost, as he has shown power with 14 home runs last season and is solid defensively.
While Tom Murphy, the backup catcher the Giants signed in the offseason, is beginning to recover from a knee injury, he hasn’t played since May and would require a rehab assignment before returning. Additionally, Murphy struggled offensively before his injury, with a .118 batting average.
Elias Díaz could be a valuable addition for the Giants as they seek to fill the void left by Bailey’s injury. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the team sign him soon.
