Díaz will be available for tonight’s game vs. Cleveland
Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the following transactions prior to tonight’s game against the Cleveland Guardians at Globe Life Field.
- Catcher Danny Jansen placed on 10-day Injured List (right forearm strain), retroactive to June 3
- Catcher Elias Díaz (#35) signed to one-year Major League contract
- Infielder Josh Smith sent to Frisco (AA) on injury rehab assignment
The 35-year-old Elias Díaz (pronounced ee-LEE-ahs DEE-az) spent the beginning of the 2026 season within the Kansas City organization after signing a minor league contract with the Royals on February 24. The right-handed-hitting backstop had his contract selected from Triple-A Omaha on April 19 and appeared in 10 games/7 starts at catcher with the Royals, hitting .227 (5-22) with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, and an .852 OPS. He was designated for assignment on May 22, outrighted to Omaha on May 26, and did not see game action before electing free agency on Wednesday. Díaz hit .219 (7-32) in 10 games at Triple-A in March and April prior to his elevation to the Majors.
A Maracaibo, Venezuela native, Díaz has played in parts of 12 Major League campaigns with Pittsburgh (2015-19), Colorado (2020-24), San Diego (2024-25), and Kansas City (2026), slashing .246/.300/.385/.685 (639-2594) with 73 home runs and 331 RBI in 840 games. From 2021-25, he caught 65 runners attempting to steal, ranking 3rd among N.L. catchers during the span behind only J.T. Realmuto (88) and Will Smith (82). Díaz earned his first career All-Star selection in 2023 with the Rockies and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2023 Midsummer Classic in Seattle, hitting a go-ahead, 2-run home run in the 8th inning to fuel a 3-2 victory for the National League. 2026 marks his 18th professional season since signing with the Pirates organization in 2009.
Jansen, 31, last appeared for Texas on Tuesday at St. Louis, entering the game in the 9th inning as a defensive replacement. In 41 games with the Rangers this season, he is batting .171 (21-123) with 3 home runs, one triple, 6 doubles, and 12 RBI while leading the club with 36 starts at catcher. This marks Jansen’s first time on the Injured List since March 25-April 15, 2024 with Toronto (right wrist fracture).
Smith, 28, will hit leadoff and serve as Frisco’s designated hitter tonight vs. Springfield at Riders Field. He has missed the Rangers’ last 29 games since being placed on the 10-day Injured List with a right glute strain on May 5 (retroactive to May 4). Smith has also dealt with left wrist inflammation and paused baseball activities from May 13-28 due to viral meningitis.
With today’s transactions, the Rangers now have 40 players on the club’s Major League roster, along with four players on the 60-day Injured List (RHP Carter Baumler and LHP’s Cody Bradford, Robert Garcia, and Jordan Montgomery).
