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Elias Diaz Will Go to Indianapolis For the Last Step of His Rehab

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ALTOONA, PA – The Pirates transferred Elias Diaz’s rehab to Altoona on Saturday, and it only took two games for the organization to feel he was ready for the next, and last, step in his rehabilitation. Diaz will travel to Indianapolis on Monday morning after catching back-to-back nine inning games for the Curve.

Diaz underwent a debridement procedure to remove bone chips on his right elbow on May 3rd, and he has since been on the 15- then 60-day disabled list. After a period of being shut down, Diaz began his rehab with Bradenton about two weeks ago and progressed through two sets of back-to-back seven innings games this past week.

He came to Altoona with the intent of playing back-to-back nine inning games and was able to do that on Saturday and Sunday.

Diaz went 2-for-7 in his stint with the Curve with two singles (a line drive to right on Saturday and a line drive to left-center on Sunday), an 11-pitch walk, and a strikeout. Diaz said that he felt good after the first time playing back-to-back nine innings games this season.

“I can’t tell you exactly where I am right now, but I’ve been feeling really good,” Diaz said. “I’m close, really close.”

He said that the injury has not affected his ability to swing; rather, he just needed to get back to finding his proper rhythm and timing at the plate.

“I know that I needed to get my rhythm at the plate back and ready,” Diaz said. “I know that I will be good when I take the field everyday now. I’ll go to Indy now and finish my rehab to see what happens.”

Diaz also said that he may not be 100% yet with his arm, but he has been building up arm strength to get it back to where he was.

“I will be 100% at some point soon.”

In the field, Diaz looked good blocking and receiving, and he didn’t seem to have much problem throwing to the bases. Overall, from watching him both games, he looked ready to go.

It is unclear yet if the Pirates will activate him from the disabled list and option him to Indianapolis, or if they will simply transfer his rehab to Indianapolis. Based on his rehab timeline, he must be activated before July 24th.

Diaz’s transfer to Indianapolis may also signify Francisco Cervelli being ready to be activated off of the disabled list after tonight’s game, as well, as the Pirates would not want two rehabbing catchers at the same level. Alan Saunders reported earlier today that the Pirates would bring Cervelli to Pittsburgh on Monday and see if he was ready.

As for the tough luck in Diaz’s injury happening when the Pirates could have used him the most, he said that it was completely out of his control, and he must move past it.

“I can’t control the situation that we had on the field,” Diaz said. “Anything can happen. I’m just trying to get past this, move on, and work hard everyday to get to where I want to be.”

The move will also probably help the Pirates balance their catching in the minors by most likely sending Jin-De Jhang back to Altoona and Tomas Morales back to Bradenton. No moves have been confirmed or officially made as of yet.

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