ST. LOUIS -- With the stretch run approaching, the Padres bolstered their catching depth on Monday, agreeing to a Minor League deal with veteran backstop Elias Díaz, sources told MLB.com.

The club has not confirmed the deal.

Díaz, 33, spent the past five seasons playing for the Rockies and was the MVP of the 2023 All-Star Game. However, Colorado released him earlier in the month, and after he cleared waivers, he agreed to a Minor League deal with San Diego.

The Padres boast a catching tandem of Kyle Higashioka and Luis Campusano, and that duo has mostly been serviceable this season. But Díaz provides valuable depth in the event of an injury -- or if either of those two were to struggle significantly down the stretch. Because he signed prior to Sept. 1, Díaz would be eligible for the postseason roster.

In 84 games with the Rockies this season, Díaz was hitting .270 with a .693 OPS.