Rockies roster shakeup: Elias Diaz released, Drew Romo called up, Lucas Gilbreath back from long stint on IL

The Rockies head into the season’s final quarter with a decidedly different roster.

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

Also, the club removed left-handed reliever Lucas Gilbreath from the 60-day injured list and added him to its active roster. In another move, the Rockies optioned struggling right-handed reliever Riley Pint to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Diaz, 33, was the MVP of the 2023 All-Star Game and has been a consistently strong performer for the Rockies, as well as a team leader. But lingering injuries to both of his calves have plagued him much of the season. Although he’s hitting .270, he has posted a .693 OPS and has slugged only five home runs, the last one on June 5 vs. Cincinnati.

Romo, 22, the 35th overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Woodlands High School (Texas), slashed .297/.339/.499 with 14 homers and nine doubles for Triple-A Albuquerque. He’s expected to split playing time with veteran Jacob Stallings.

For Gilbreath, the journey back to the majors has been a steep road as he battled elbow and shoulder injuries.

His return gives manager Bud Black a left-hander in his bullpen. Since trading left-hander Jalen Beeks to Milwaukee last month, Colorado’s bullpen has been stocked only with right-handers.

Gilbreath, 28, a graduate of Broomfield’s Legacy High School, underwent Tommy John surgery during spring training in 2023. He appeared close to returning this spring but began feeling shoulder discomfort. 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 8.00 ERA and a 1.737 WHIP, 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, going 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA over 94 appearances.

Pint has struggled in his limited time in the majors. He gave up a grand slam to Eugenio Suarez in the sixth inning of Arizona’s 11-4 win over the Rockies on Wednesday at Chase Field. Pint, the fourth overall pick in 2016, hit two batters and walked another before Suarez clobbered a first-pitch slider for the slam.

Pint’s inability to command his fastball allowed Suarez to sit on the slider. In his limited time this season (four games, 3 1/3 innings), Pint has a 21.60 ERA.

This story will be updated.

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