Yainer Diaz - Page 17 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Diaz homers, Astros hold off White Sox 4-3

Yainer Diaz hit his first major league home run to back rookie Hunter Brown and help the Houston Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 for their fourth win in five games

MAY 14, 2023 • Associated Press

Collects two hits Diaz went 2-for-3 with one double in Tuesday's 2-0 loss against the Giants.

Impact Diaz was the only bright spot for the Houston offense, as he picked two of the team's three hits. The rookie is Hunter Brown's personal catcher, but he is stuck behind Martin Maldonado on the depth chart. Diaz had an .898 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A last season. If he ever receives regular playing time, his bat could provide fantasy value from the catcher position.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yainer Diaz is Hunter Brown's personal catcher. Should the Astros rookie more than that? The two young Astros came up through the system together and have formed a bond for a team in need of stability right now.

MAY 3, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Top prospect Yainer Diaz, on the Astros roster to hit, has found at-bats hard to come by The club's No. 2 prospect seemed like he might make a difference when he made the team out of camp, but so far that hasn't been the case.

APRIL 19, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Sitting out Sunday Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Impact Diaz will sit for the second time in four games after previously logging one start apiece at catcher and designated hitter and going hitless with one walk between those two contests. Martin Maldonado is locked in as Houston's primary backstop, but Diaz and Corey Julks could vie for regular reps out of the DH spot while Michael Brantley (shoulder) is on the shelf.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start in DH spot Diaz is starting in the designated hitter spot and batting sixth for the Astros in Thursday's opener versus the White Sox.

Impact The Astros are carrying three catchers in part so they can use Diaz at DH and he's in that slot for the first regular-season contest. It enhances his fantasy outlook, although he might not yet be catcher-eligible in your league. Worth remembering is that Michael Brantley (shoulder) will be used at DH when he's ready, as will Yordan Alvarez.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will be on Opening Day roster Diaz will be on the Opening Day roster in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Diaz excelled in the upper minors last season, slashing .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI in 105 games between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. His primary position is catcher, but the 24-year-old has played some corner outfield and first base, and he might also be an option at DH for the reigning World Series champions.

MARCH 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chance to earn role Diaz will have the chance to win the backup catcher job this spring, Paige Leckie of MLB.com reports.

Impact Martin Maldonado is penciled in as the starting backstop in Houston, but the depth chart is unresolved from there. Diaz seems big-league ready with the bat -- he maintained a 121 wRC+ across 219 plate appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land in 2022 -- but his defense is more questionable. Upon reporting to camp, Diaz noted that he focused on improving all facets of his defense this offseason in an effort to stick in the majors. He is competing with fellow prospect Korey Lee for the role, though Diaz's bat-first profile may help him given that Maldonado is a strong defensive catcher but offers little at the plate.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

Impact Diaz was subsequently placed on the Astros' taxi squad, so he will still hang around the team in case he's needed in the near future. The young backstop has one hit and a walk over just nine plate appearances this season. He will be replaced on the major-league roster by Jake Meyers, who was called up Thursday as a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE