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Royals Sign Veteran Catcher Elias Diaz to Bolster Depth Behind Salvador Perez
The 35-year-old All-Star will provide experienced backup for the Royals' star catcher.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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The Kansas City Royals have signed veteran catcher Elias Diaz to a minor league contract, adding depth behind their star catcher Salvador Perez. Diaz, a 35-year-old with 11 MLB seasons under his belt, is a career .247 hitter with 71 home runs and an .683 OPS. His best season came in 2023 when he was an All-Star and won the All-Star Game MVP award.
Why it matters
Having an experienced backup catcher is crucial for the Royals, as Perez plays a lot of games and the team needs to ensure he stays fresh. Diaz provides a proven veteran presence who can step in and contribute when needed, while also allowing the team's top catching prospect, Carter Jensen, to continue developing in the minors.
The details
Diaz began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, spending five seasons there before moving to the Colorado Rockies for five years. He spent the past season-and-a-half with the San Diego Padres. In 2023, his All-Star campaign, Diaz hit .267 with 14 home runs in 141 games. He also hit 18 homers in just 106 games in 2021 for the Rockies. Last season with the Padres, Diaz played in 106 games, hit 9 home runs, and batted .204.
- Diaz signed a minor league contract with the Royals on February 20, 2026.
The players
Salvador Perez
The Royals' star catcher who plays a lot of games and needs experienced backup support.
Elias Diaz
A 35-year-old veteran catcher with 11 MLB seasons of experience, including an All-Star selection in 2023.
Carter Jensen
The Royals' top catching prospect who can continue developing in the minors with Diaz providing depth behind Perez.
What’s next
The Royals will likely decide between Diaz, Luke Maile, and Jorge Alfaro for the backup catcher role behind Perez as they finalize their Opening Day roster.
The takeaway
The Royals have bolstered their catching depth by signing veteran Elias Diaz, providing an experienced backup option to their star catcher Salvador Perez and allowing their top prospect Carter Jensen to continue developing in the minors.
