ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Elias Díaz has become hard to take out of the lineup, a night after the catcher drove in 5 runs in a 7-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Schumaker spoke with Rangers Sports Network before Saturday’s game at Globe Life Field.
Díaz hit the first Rangers grand slam of the season in the seventh inning Friday, lining a 1-2 slider from left-hander Garrett Cleavinger over the left field fence to cut a 6-1 deficit to 6-5. In the ninth, with runners on second and third and one out, he hit a sacrifice fly that made it 7-6. The slam was the fourth of his career.
Schumaker said the club has had trouble with the bases loaded all season, and that the ninth-inning sacrifice fly came on a swing that nearly left the park too.
“He’s been really good. Five RBIs, grand slam. We’ve, as you know, had trouble with bases-loaded situations throughout the year. For him to hit a home run and get it to where it was,” Schumaker said. “And by the way, just missed another home run in the ninth inning there, ended up getting a sac fly, but gosh, another really good swing.”
“I don’t even know if he had a team when we signed him, and for him to do what he has done, it’s been tough to take him out of the lineup,” Schumaker continued. “He’s been exceptional against left-handers, especially. Obviously, a big home run against a lefty who’s been really tough on righties in Cleavinger. So, yeah, Díaz has been fantastic.”
How Elias Díaz Landed With The Texas Rangers
Díaz was not on a major league roster when Texas signed him. He opened 2026 in the Kansas City organization on a minor league contract signed Feb. 24, had his contract selected April 19, and appeared in 10 games for the Royals, hitting .227 with 2 home runs. Kansas City designated him for assignment May 22, outrighted him to Triple-A Omaha May 26, and he elected free agency on June 3.
Texas signed him to a one-year major league contract on June 6, the same day the club placed Danny Jansen on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain. Kyle Higashioka joined Jansen on the injured list July 21 with a right flexor strain, which left Díaz as the primary catcher for most of the summer.
In 65 games with Texas, Díaz is hitting .234/.268/.383 with 5 home runs and 24 RBIs. Between the two clubs, he has 7 home runs and 29 RBIs in 75 games. Behind the plate for the Rangers, he has thrown out 9 of 26 runners attempting to steal.
Díaz turns 36 in November. He was an All-Star with Colorado in 2023 and was named Most Valuable Player of that year’s All-Star Game after a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
The Grand Slam And The Ninth Inning
Nick Martinez left with one out and two on in the seventh with the Rays ahead 6-1. Cleavinger walked Cody Freeman to load the bases before Díaz connected. Cleavinger came out after Justin Foscue singled, and Cam Booser got Corey Seager to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Bryan Baker, the major league saves leader, walked the first two hitters of the ninth and left with a trainer. Tyler Wells replaced him. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners up, Díaz hit the sacrifice fly, and Foscue popped out to end it.
Texas fell to 70-72 with the loss and sits 3 games behind Houston in the American League West. The Rangers are 2 games behind Cleveland for the third wild card with 20 games left.
Díaz caught Cal Quantrill through 7 scoreless innings in Thursday’s 6-0 win over the Rays. Jacob deGrom (10-9, 4.00 ERA) starts Saturday against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (14-5, 2.95). First pitch is 6:05 p.m. CT on Rangers Sports Network.
