D¨ªaz preps for longer tour with Padres

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- After 724 regular-season games, spanning 10 seasons with three franchises, Elias Díaz finally got a taste of postseason baseball last October. He played only a couple innings and recorded only one at-bat. That was enough for D¨ªaz to know he wants more.

¡°It¡¯s a beautiful experience, right?¡± D¨ªaz said through interpreter Danny Sanchez. ¡°Getting to play in the postseason, competing for a World Series, that¡¯s something you always dream about. So to be able to do that last year -- I loved that experience. It was a beautiful experience.

¡°Being able to come back this year, I think we have a talented team that has the ability to compete for a World Series.¡±

D¨ªaz might play an important part in that. The Padres¡¯ catching plans are nowhere near settled. But if there¡¯s one certainty, it¡¯s this: D¨ªaz has a spot on the Opening Day roster. In January, he signed a one-year deal to return to San Diego with a mutual option for 2026.

Manager Mike Shildt has always cited catcher as a defense-first position. On that front, D¨ªaz made significant strides last season with his framing. He has been renowned for his ability to work with pitchers.

¡°Clearly he¡¯s been in the league for a while, so he has that feel,¡± Shildt said. ¡°... And we always feel like the catcher and the manager need to share brains and think through situations. There¡¯s a lot that I trust the catcher on in the course of a game. So I¡¯ve really enjoyed getting that communication going with him.¡±

In 96 games between Colorado and San Diego last season, D¨ªaz posted a slash line of .265/.313/.382. The Padres claimed him off waivers in August, and he played 12 games down the stretch before his postseason cameo and ensuing free agency.

During the offseason, the Padres were active in their pursuit of catching. They endeavored to bring back Kyle Higashioka before he signed with Texas. They were rumored to be after Minnesota¡¯s Christian V¨¢zquez.

They landed on D¨ªaz, a backup down the stretch last season, who could be thrust into a bigger role this year.

The Padres¡¯ other catching options -- Luis Campusano, Mart¨ªn Maldonado and Brett Sullivan -- have struggled this spring. Campusano has the highest upside of the group. But D¨ªaz is the surest thing. And with a lineup full of All-Stars, the Padres don¡¯t need him to mash.

Of course, D¨ªaz is a former All-Star himself. The 2023 All-Star Game MVP, in fact. At 34, he¡¯s no longer that type of hitter. The Padres won¡¯t ask him to be. If he can sit in the No. 9 spot in the order and steadily command a pitching staff, that might be enough.

Pivetta cruises
Nick Pivetta¡¯s second Cactus League outing went more or less the same as his first: He was sharp against the Giants on Sunday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium.

Pivetta, who signed with the Padres just as Spring Training was getting underway, has clearly hit the ground running with his new organization. He¡¯s yet to allow a run across 5 2/3 innings, including three scoreless innings against the Giants in San Diego¡¯s 7-4 loss.

¡°It¡¯s a very exciting experience for me,¡± Pivetta said. ¡°I love to get to know new guys, get to know new coaches, a new organization. I feel like you learn a lot -- how different people do different things. And you¡¯re able to take from those things and apply it to your game.¡±

Pivetta allowed a walk and double in the first inning, but he escaped trouble by striking out Jung Hoo Lee and Matt Chapman. He proceeded to retire all six Giants he faced in the second and third innings.

¡°Everything¡¯s on track,¡± Pivetta said. ¡°Body feels good. I had a little bit longer of a first inning, so I was happy to work around that.¡±

Waldron labors
Matt Waldron¡¯s quest for the No. 5 spot in the Padres¡¯ rotation took a hit Sunday as he failed to command his knuckleball throughout parts of three innings. Waldron struggled in relief of Pivetta, allowing six runs on four hits and four walks over 1 2/3, as he was lifted from both the fourth and sixth innings.

¡°It¡¯s not a decision that needs to be made now -- we¡¯ve still got some time, and he¡¯s got some more opportunity,¡± Shildt said. ¡°Matty¡¯s had a pretty good camp and had a good year last year. Today just wasn¡¯t a good day for him.¡±

Waldron is competing with Kyle Hart, Stephen Kolek, Randy V¨¢squez and Jhony Brito for the final rotation spot.