Rockies Part Ways with Catcher Elias Diaz, Call Up Top Prospect Drew Romo
In a surprising move, the Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that they have given catcher Elias Diaz his outright release, making him a free agent. This decision comes as a shock to many fans, as Diaz has been a key player for the Rockies over the past five seasons. However, the team seems to be looking towards the future, as they have called up top catching prospect Drew Romo from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Diaz, 33, was having a solid season for the Rockies, batting .270 with five home runs and 36 RBIs in 84 games. He was named an All-Star for the first time in 2023, when he posted a .267 average with 14 home runs and 72 RBIs. In his 10-year career, Diaz has been a consistent contributor at the plate, hitting .252 with 61 home runs and 294 RBIs in 712 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Rockies.
One of the highlights of Diaz’s career came last year when he hit a two-run home run in the All-Star Game, earning him MVP honors as the National League rallied for a 3-2 victory. His presence both on and off the field will surely be missed by his teammates and fans alike.
Top Prospect Drew Romo Gets the Call
With Diaz’s departure, the Rockies have turned to their top prospect, Drew Romo, to fill the void behind the plate. Romo, 22, was a first-round draft pick by Colorado in 2020 and has been tearing it up in Triple-A Albuquerque, batting .297 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 85 games. His impressive performance in the minor leagues has earned him a well-deserved promotion to the big leagues.
Romo is known for his defensive prowess behind the plate, as well as his ability to handle a pitching staff. His offensive skills have also been on display this season, showing that he has the potential to be a well-rounded player at the major league level. Rockies fans should be excited to see what Romo can bring to the team as they look towards the future.
Reinstatement of Left-Hander Lucas Gilbreath
In addition to Diaz’s release and Romo’s call-up, the Rockies have also reinstated left-hander Lucas Gilbreath from the 60-day injured list. Gilbreath had been sidelined for nearly two full seasons following Tommy John surgery in March 2023. His return to the roster is a welcome sight for the Rockies, as they look to bolster their pitching staff for the remainder of the season.
Gilbreath, 28, has made appearances in a combined 94 games (one start) for Colorado in 2021 and 2022. He has a career record of 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA, showing that he has the potential to be a reliable arm out of the bullpen. His experience and leadership will be valuable assets to the team as they push towards a playoff spot.
The reinstatement of Gilbreath comes at the expense of left-hander Josh Rogers, who was outrighted off the roster on Thursday. While it’s never easy to see a teammate go, the Rockies are confident that they have made the right moves to improve their roster and put themselves in the best position to succeed.
Overall, the Rockies’ roster moves signal a shift towards the future, as they part ways with a veteran player in Diaz and turn to young talent like Romo and Gilbreath to lead the way. It will be interesting to see how these changes impact the team as they continue their quest for success in the MLB.
