The Kansas City Royals signed veteran catcher Elias Díaz to a minor league deal, hoping he’ll bolster their catching depth for spring training.

The Kansas City Royals signed veteran catcher Elias Díaz to a minor league contract, with the 35-year-old Venezuelan expected to join spring training. Díaz, an 11-year MLB veteran and 2023 All-Star, played 106 games for the Padres in 2025, hitting .204 with nine home runs. Known for strong defensive skills, he has improved in pitch framing and has a career 26.8% caught-stealing rate. He’ll compete for a backup role behind Salvador Pérez and top prospect Carter Jensen, who has already made his MLB debut. The move comes amid broader MLB labor talks and increased competition for catching depth, with the Astros now seeking alternatives after losing Díaz to the Royals.