Robinzon Díaz

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Robinzon Díaz

| image = Robinzon Díaz on July 27, 2013.jpg

| image_size = 240

| caption = Díaz during his tenure with the Nashville Sounds

| team =

| number =

| position = Catcher / Coach

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|9|19}}

| birth_place = Monte Plata, Dominican Republic

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 23

| debutyear = 2008

| debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = July 10

| finalyear = 2009

| finalteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .281

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 1

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 20

| teams =

As Player

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2008}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}})

As Coach

Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2020}})

}}

Robinzon Díaz Henriquez (born September 19, 1983) is a Dominican former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the bullpen catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2017 to 2020.

Professional career

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On April 23, {{mlby|2008}}, Díaz made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays against the Tampa Bay Rays and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.{{Cite web|date=April 23, 2008|title=Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays Box Score, April 23, 2008|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA200804230.shtml|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

File:Robinzon Díaz 2009.jpg]]

On August 25, 2008, Díaz was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as the player to be named later to complete a trade for José Bautista and was assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.{{Cite web|date=August 25, 2008|title=Pirates acquire Robinzon Diaz from Toronto|url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080825&content_id=3365224&vkey=pr_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605040131/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080825&content_id=3365224&vkey=pr_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|archive-date=June 5, 2011|access-date=June 5, 2011|website=Pittsburgh Pirates|publisher=MLB.com}} After spending several days with Indianapolis, he was called up by the Pirates on September 2.{{Cite web|last=Langosch|first=Jenifer|date=September 2, 2008|title=Bucs bolster roster with 10 callups|url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080902&content_id=3405308&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905221136/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080902&content_id=3405308&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|archive-date=September 5, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Pittsburgh Pirates|publisher=MLB.com}} On September 7, 2008, Díaz got his first major league hit, a single off San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sánchez.{{Cite web|date=September 7, 2008|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at San Francisco Giants Box Score, September 7, 2008|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200809070.shtml|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}

Díaz began the 2009 season in Triple-A but was recalled to the Pirates late in April after starting catcher Ryan Doumit became sidelined with a broken wrist.{{Cite web|last=Perrotto|first=John|date=April 21, 2009|title=Broken wrist sidelines Doumit for 8-10 weeks|url=https://www.tribdem.com/sports/local_sports/broken-wrist-sidelines-doumit-for-8-10-weeks/article_47de7816-6b56-533f-bfb9-c4f47e7b85ae.html|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=The Tribune-Democrat|language=en}} He would serve mainly as backup to fellow rookie catcher Jason Jaramillo and as an occasional pinch hitter. In his 31 games with Pittsburgh, Díaz compiled a .295 batting average and drove in 18 runs.{{Cite web|title=Robinzon Diaz Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/diazro01.shtml|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} He was optioned back to Triple-A when Doumit returned from injury on July 10.{{Cite web|last=Kovacevic|first=Dejan|date=July 10, 2009|title=Pirates activate Doumit, recall Cruz, demote Diaz|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2009/07/10/Pirates-activate-Doumit-recall-Cruz-demote-Diaz/stories/200907100143|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|language=en}}

He was designated for assignment at the end of the 2009 season, and released on November 30, 2009.{{Cite web|last=Dierkes|first=Tim|date=November 30, 2009|title=Robinzon Diaz Becomes A Free Agent|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/robinzon-diaz-becomes-a-free-agent.html|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US}}

=Detroit Tigers=

File:Robinzon Díaz 2010.jpg spring training]]

On December 8, 2009, he was signed to a contract by the Detroit Tigers.{{cite news|last=Beck|first=Jason|date=December 8, 2009|title=Tigers add catcher Diaz on Minors deal: Veteran adds to depth in case Avila needs more time|work=Detroit Tigers|publisher=MLB.com|url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091208&content_id=7777714&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|url-status=dead|access-date=December 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212235355/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091208&content_id=7777714&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|archive-date=December 12, 2009}}

Díaz spent the 2010 season as a member of the Toledo Mud Hens, finishing the season batting .255 with a home run and 21 RBI in 71 games.{{Cite web|title=Robinzon Diaz Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=diaz--004rob|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} He filed for free agency on November 6, 2010.

=Texas Rangers=

On January 18, 2011, he was signed to a minor league contract by the Texas Rangers.{{cite news|date=January 25, 2011|title=The Texas Rangers sign Robinzon Diaz to a minor league deal|work=Rangers Locker|publisher=|url=http://www.rangerslocker.com/2011/01/25/the-texas-rangers-sign-robinzon-diaz-to-a-minor-league-deal/|url-status=dead|access-date=February 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715153400/http://www.rangerslocker.com/2011/01/25/the-texas-rangers-sign-robinzon-diaz-to-a-minor-league-deal/|archive-date=July 15, 2011}}

He also played for the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.{{Cite web|title=Robinzon Diaz Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=diaz--004rob|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=

Diaz signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on December 23, 2011.{{Cite web|last=Saxon|first=Mark|date=December 23, 2011|title=Langerhans, two others, sign minor league deals|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/angels/post/_/id/4257/langerhans-two-others-sign-minor-league-deals|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=ESPN|language=en}} He was released on August 7, 2012.{{Cite web|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|date=August 8, 2012|title=Minor Moves: Knapp, Diaz, Rodriguez|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/08/minor-moves-diaz-rodriguez.html|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US}}

=Return to Texas=

The Rangers re-signed Diaz to a minor league contract on August 12, 2012, and assigned him to the Triple-A Round Rock Express.{{Cite web|title=Robinzon Diaz Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/diazro01.shtml|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} On November 3, he was declared a minor league free agent by Major League Baseball.{{cite web|last=Eddy|first=Matt|date=November 6, 2012|title=Minor League Free Agents 2012|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/11/minor-league-free-agents-2012/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109034155/http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/11/minor-league-free-agents-2012/|archive-date=November 9, 2012|access-date=November 11, 2012|website=Baseball America}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On January 18, 2013, Díaz signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{Cite web|last=Links|first=Zachary|date=January 18, 2013|title=Minor Moves: Wilson, Powell, Yankees, Mets|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/minor-moves-6.html|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US}} He started the 2013 season with the Brewers' Double-A affiliate Huntsville Stars. He split the season with the Stars and Triple-A Nashville, where in 108 games total, he hit .302/.335/.433 with seven home runs and 42 RBI.{{Cite web|title=Robinzon Diaz Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=diaz--004rob|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} After joining the Sounds on June 29, 2013, Díaz closed out the year by hitting .328 (58-for-127) with four home runs and 20 RBI in 50 Pacific Coast League games.{{Cite web|title=Robinzon Diaz Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=diaz--004rob|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=April 18, 2014|title=Nashville Sounds pregame notes, April 18, 2014|url=http://www.milb.com/documents/1/0/4/72523104/notes4_18_upgge06a.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014421/http://www.milb.com/documents/1/0/4/72523104/notes4_18_upgge06a.pdf|archive-date=April 19, 2014|access-date=April 19, 2014|website=Minor League Baseball}}

On October 1, 2013, Díaz signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Brewers.{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Steve|date=October 1, 2013|title=Minor Moves: Velez, Gomez, Diaz, Leon|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/10/minor-moves-velez-gomez-diaz-leon.html|access-date=October 1, 2013|work=MLB Trade Rumors}} He returned to Nashville for the start of the 2014 season.{{Cite web|title=Robinzon Diaz Stats, Fantasy & News|url=https://www.milb.com/player/robinzon-diaz-433697|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}}

The Brewers signed Diaz to another minor-league deal on February 23, 2015.{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Steve|date=February 26, 2015|title=Minor Moves: Ransom, McCoy, Diaz, Gaudin|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/02/dodgers-chad-gaudin-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=February 26, 2015|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} The same day he was assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. On April 6, 2015 he was demoted to the Double-A Helena Brewers. On April 17, 2015, he was promoted back to Triple-A Colorado Springs. After the season, he was selected to the roster for the Dominican Republic national baseball team at the 2015 WBSC Premier12.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=DOM Roster|url=http://www.wbsc.org/tournaments/2015-premier12/rosters/team/331/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233543/http://www.wbsc.org/tournaments/2015-premier12/rosters/team/331/|archive-date=January 5, 2018|access-date=January 5, 2018|work=WBSC}}

=Return to Toronto=

On February 26, 2016, Díaz signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web|date=March 7, 2016|title=Blast from the past: Blue Jays sign Robinzon Diaz to minor league deal|url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2016/3/7/11174836/blast-from-the-past-blue-jays-sign-robinzon-diaz-to-minor-league-deal|access-date=March 7, 2016|work=Bluebird Banter|publisher=SB Nation}}

=Olmecas de Tabasco=

On May 17, 2016, Diaz signed with the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League.{{cite web|date=May 17, 2016|title=Llega Robinzon Díaz a Olmecas|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-178654670|access-date=May 18, 2016|work=Minor League Baseball|language=Spanish}} He was released on July 1, 2016.{{cite web|title=Mexican League Transactions|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=125|url-status=dead|access-date=July 16, 2016|work=Minor League Baseball|page=July 2016|archive-date=June 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620183053/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=125}}

Baseball staff

Diaz became the bullpen catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2017 baseball season.{{cite web|last=Mercer|first=Greg|date=May 3, 2017|title=Once traded for Bautista, Diaz embraces new role with Brewers|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/traded-bautista-diaz-embraces-new-role-brewers/|access-date=May 27, 2018|website=Sportsnet}} He remained in the position through 2020.{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Bill|url=https://www.wrn.com/2020/11/brewers-announce-2021-coaching-staff/|title=Brewers announce 2021 coaching staff|website=Wisconsin Radio Network|date=November 5, 2020|access-date=December 28, 2020}}

Diaz was named as a coach for the DSL Brewers for the 2024 season.{{Cite web |title=Brewers' MiLB managerial chain shuffling in 2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brewers-announce-2024-minor-league-coaching-staff |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}