Royals Sign Veteran Catcher Elias Díaz to Minor League Deal

Díaz joins Royals camp after spending 2025 season with San Diego Padres

Mar. 1, 2026 at 10:39pm

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The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran catcher Elias Díaz, who will join the team's big league camp next week. Díaz, an 11-year MLB veteran, spent the 2025 season with the San Diego Padres, hitting .204 with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs in 106 games.

Why it matters

The Royals are looking to bolster their catching depth behind All-Star Salvador Perez, who has been the team's starting catcher since 2013. Díaz's veteran experience could provide valuable mentorship for the team's top catching prospect, Carter Jensen, who made his MLB debut last season.

The details

Díaz, a 35-year-old Venezuelan, spent his first five MLB seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates before playing four years with the Colorado Rockies. He was an All-Star with the Rockies in 2023 before being traded to the Padres during the 2024 season.

  • Díaz spent the 2025 season with the San Diego Padres.
  • Díaz will join the Kansas City Royals' big league camp next week.

The players

Elias Díaz

A 35-year-old Venezuelan catcher with 11 years of MLB experience, most recently with the San Diego Padres in 2025.

Salvador Perez

The Royals' starting catcher since 2013, a 9-time All-Star and 5-time Gold Glove winner.

Carter Jensen

The Royals' top catching prospect, who made his MLB debut and played 20 games last season.

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What they’re saying

“The Kansas City Royals agreed to a minor league deal with catcher Elias Díaz on Friday and said the 11-year veteran will join the big league camp next week.”

— Associated Press (sfgate.com)

The takeaway

The Royals' signing of veteran catcher Elias Díaz to a minor league deal provides additional depth and experience behind their All-Star starter Salvador Perez, while also offering mentorship opportunities for the team's top catching prospect, Carter Jensen.