Elias Diaz released, Drew Romo and Lucas Gilbreath return

The Rockies enter the final quarter of the season with a significantly different squad.

On Friday, the club released veteran catcher Elias Diaz and promoted promising catcher Drew Romo from Triple-A Albuquerque.

The club also activated left-handed reliever Lucas Gilbreath from the 60-day injured list and signed him to the active roster. In another move, the Rockies sent struggling right-handed reliever Riley Pint to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Diaz, 33, was the MVP of the 2023 All-Star Game and has consistently performed strongly for the Rockies and has also been a team leader. But persistent injuries to both calves have plagued him for most of the season. Although he has a .270 batting average, he has an OPS of .693 and has hit just five home runs, the most recent on June 5 against Cincinnati.

Romo, 22, the 35th pick in the 2020 draft out of Woodlands High School (Texas), hit .297/.339/.499 with 14 home runs and nine doubles for Triple-A Albuquerque. He is expected to share playing time with veteran Jacob Stallings.

For Gilbreath, the road back to the major leagues was steep as he struggled with elbow and shoulder injuries.

With his return, manager Bud Black has a left-hander in his bullpen. Since trading left-hander Jalen Beeks to Milwaukee last month, Colorado's bullpen has been populated entirely by right-handers.

Gilbreath, 28, a graduate of Legacy High School in Broomfield, underwent Tommy John surgery during spring training in 2023. He appeared to be close to returning to practice this spring, but began experiencing soreness in his shoulder. The shoulder injury did not require surgery but took months to heal.

In 10 minor league rehab games (nine innings) at High-A Spokane and Triple-A Albuquerque, Gilbreath posted an ERA of 8.00 and a WHIP of 1.737, with 12 strikeouts and eight walks.

Gilbreath made his major league debut in 2021 and was an effective reliever for two seasons before his injuries, posting a 5-2 record and a 3.78 ERA in 94 appearances.

Pint has struggled in his limited time in the major leagues, allowing a grand slam to Eugenio Suarez in the sixth inning of Arizona's 11-4 victory over the Rockies on Wednesday at Chase Field. Pint, selected fourth in the first round of the 2016 draft, struck out two batters and walked another before Suarez slammed the first pitch with a slider.