Rockies Release Catcher Elias Diaz, Promote Drew Romo

The Colorado Rockies have released veteran catcher Elias Diaz, who was placed on outright waivers and went unclaimed. Despite being a strong performer and the MVP of the 2023 All-Star Game, Diaz struggled with injuries and posted a .270 batting average this season. Drew Romo has been called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his place on the roster, bringing impressive stats of .297 with 14 home runs in the minors. The Rockies also reinstated left-hander Lucas Gilbreath from the injured list, providing much-needed depth in their bullpen. This roster shakeup comes as the Rockies aim to evaluate younger talent down the stretch of the season, raising questions about their previous trade strategies involving Diaz. The Rockies will cover the remainder of Diaz's $6 million salary for this season, allowing him to potentially join a contending team as a free agent.