Díaz steady behind the dish for Rox despite workload

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Burly Elias Díaz is proving hardy enough to carry what could end up being one of the heaviest workloads for a catcher in Rockies history.

With 44 games remaining, Díaz has made 87 starts and appeared in 94 games at catcher. He could become the first catcher to reach triple figures in defensive starts since Tony Wolters started 102 in 2019.

It would take an ironman run for Díaz to match Joe Girardi’s 1995 club records of 122 games and 119 starts. But second place in starts (107, Miguel Olivo in 2010) and games (112, shared by Wolters in ‘19 and Yorvit Torrealba in 2007) are within reach.

Keeping the wearing effect of Colorado’s altitude in mind, the Rockies have had just nine catchers reach 100 games played in their 31 seasons. With the designated hitter, the Rockies can reduce Díaz’s catching load, use Austin Wynns, and still keep him in the lineup at .266 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs.

Díaz was jarred by a foul ball to the mask earlier in the season, so the Rockies temporarily added Jorge Alfaro as a third catcher. But Díaz soon returned to his hectic pace.

“He’s physically built to be an everyday player,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “The mental side has come on strong. There’s a pace to his day, a rhythm to what he does during the course of the day, to prepare to play, prepare to play tomorrow and the next day.”

Díaz said his availability is a testament to rest and recovery.

“I put a lot of work into recovery, and that’s why I’ve been healthy all year,” Díaz said. “I rest and try to stretch. I work out maybe once or twice a week, but I try to stretch more often.”

Catching is a little more taxing this season, with the Rockies having used a club record-tying 15 starting pitchers (1993 and 2014), and with new rules that encourage the running game. But Díaz has thrown out 19 on steal attempts -- third in the Majors behind Shea Langeliers of the Athletics with 28 and Patrick Bailey of the Giants with 20.

Díaz proved quick enough at Milwaukee, when Joey Wiemer tried to test him last week.

The Dodgers’ Amed Rosario was Díaz’s next victim, on Saturday.

Staying loose means not stressing about base-stealers -- or at least keeping the stress away from his pitchers, some of whom aren’t adept at discouraging the running game.

“I don’t go to the pitcher and say, ‘Hey, you have to be quick [to the plate],” Díaz said. “No, no, no. I let them work. The most important thing for me is to execute the pitch.”

The rest?

Just put it on Díaz’s shoulders.