Elias Diaz returns to Pirates after beating virus
With a forgettable spring behind him, catcher Elias Diaz was back in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse Sunday when he was activated from the injured list.
Diaz, who will be the chief backup to Francisco Cervelli, missed most of spring training and the first 18 games of this season with a virus that he labeled “bacteria in his stomach.”
Diaz is expected to be a big part of the team this season after playing in a career-high 82 games in 2018 with a .286 batting average, 10 home runs and 34 RBIs. When he was diagnosed with the virus during spring training, he said he had to stay strong mentally while preparing – largely on his own – for the day he would be well enough to rejoin the team.
“It was tough,” he said “The thing was to stay positive and keep my mind strong.
“I said, `OK, I have to be strong and do what I have to do. If I have to take one month that I don’t do anything to get healthy, I have to do it.’ ”
When he was well enough to resume baseball activities, he said he put in extra time at and behind the plate.
“Do everything extra,” he said. “I worked out every day. I got my conditioning back and I feel really good right now.”
Hurdle didn’t put Diaz into the starting lineup Sunday, but he’s happy to have him on the bench.
“We’re bringing in another player who has history, who has street cred with these guys as well,” Hurdle said. “I do think there’s a cohesion factor here when you can get guys back that have been around and done things together with this group that can add some synergy to the club.”
Hurdle also said when Gregory Polanco returns from his injury — perhaps on the current homestand — his mere presence will make a difference.
“I think it will give a boost to the clubhouse,” Hurdle said.
Diaz played nine games on minor-league rehab assignments in Bradenton and Indianapolis. Overall, he was 14 for 34, with five doubles and six RBI. All but two hits and five at-bats were in Indianapolis.
To make room for Diaz on the 25-man roster, Jacob Stallings was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with a cervical neck strain. He hadn’t appeared in a game since April 12.
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Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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