On his fifth attempt to defect from Cuba, he and friend Leandro Linares waited in tall grass until their motorized raft arrived…they set out at around 2 a.m. and arrived in the Dominican Republic at about 2 p.m. the next day…Yandy reports to have seen sharks alongside the raft...Yandy hasn’t seen his family in Cuba since he defected…he calls his mother, Elsa Maria Fernández, who still lives there, almost every day and says she influenced him to play baseball…she would work 12-hour days at a cigar factory near their home in Sagua la Grande to provide for him...Yandy’s father, Jorge, played six seasons in the Cuban National Series in the early 1990s with Naranjas de Villa Clara…Yandy played for the same club from 2008-11…Jorge also spent five professional seasons in the U.S., including 51 games with the Port Charlotte Rangers in 2000, who played at Charlotte Sports Park, the Rays' current Spring Training home, from 1987–2002...He is a gym rat whose muscles have been featured in Men’s Journal…he first started weightlifting when he was 12 years old…his favorite show is “Tom and Jerry,” which he watches frequently during his lifting sessions…last year during MLB Players Weekend, he used a bat inspired by the show...Yandy is afraid of ghosts and made the mistake of entrusting his teammates with this news before a Rays road trip to Milwaukee…the team stayed at the Pfister Hotel, where a number of Major Leaguers have claimed to experience paranormal activity…his teammates did little to ease his concerns, taping a cartoon ghost in his locker ahead of the Milwaukee series with the Spanish word cuidado—“watch out”—written on it...He and his wife, Mayisleidis, celebrated the birth of their first child in July 2023…Yandy flew to Seattle on Monday night for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, in which he homered, before taking a red-eye flight back home for his son’s birth…a few months later, he became the first Ray to win an AL batting title…he credited his wife and son for giving him extra motivation to perform throughout the season.
2025
Established career bests in hits (175), home runs (25) and RBI (83) over a career-high 150 games in his ninth Major League campaign and seventh with the Rays…was on the restricted list from May 13-16, but stayed on the active roster for the remainder of the season…paced the Rays in hits, doubles (29) and walks (57)...Named an AL Silver Slugger Award finalist at designated hitter...Of his 150 starts, 114 came at designated hitter and 36 at first base…marked the second-most games at DH in Rays history behind Johnny Damon (135) in 2011 and second-most in the AL all season to ATH Brent Rooker (135)…his .300 average was the highest by a qualified DH (min. 50% of games at DH) in Rays history, surpassing Jose Canseco (.279) in 1999...His career-high-tying 53 multi-hit games (also: 2023) tied SEA Julio Rodríguez for the most in MLB…became the first player in franchise history to pace the majors in the category...His 175 hits ranked fourth in the AL behind KC Bobby Witt Jr. (184), TOR Bo Bichette (181) and NYY Aaron Judge (179) and marked the most by a Ray since Carl Crawford (184) in 2010…became the sixth Ray to eclipse 150 hits in three straight seasons along with Evan Longoria (five, 2013-17), Carl Crawford (five, 2003-07), Ben Zobrist (four, 2011-14), Aubrey Huff (2003-05) and Fred McGriff (1998–2000)...Also ranked among AL leaders in on-base pct. (fourth, .366), average (sixth, .300) and OPS (eighth, .848)...Hit exactly .300, one of six AL qualifiers to reach or exceed the mark…joined NYY Aaron Judge (.331/53HR) and TOR George Springer (.309/32HR) as the only players in the Majors to hit .300 or better with 25 HR or more…became the third Tampa Bay hitter to turn the trick along with Aubrey Huff in 2003 (.311/34HR) and Fred McGriff in 1999 (.310/32HR)...Was his second time hitting .300 or better, joining 2023, when his franchise-record .330 mark earned him an AL batting title…joined Carl Crawford (5x, last: 2010) as the only Rays with multiple qualified seasons at .300 or better...Hit .307 (92-for-300) at Steinbrenner Field and .293 (83-for-283) in road games…was one of six qualified hitters to bat .290 or better at home and on the road along with TOR Bo Bichette, CHC Nico Hoerner, NYY Aaron Judge, PHI Trea Turner and ATH Jacob Wilson...Finished with 29 doubles, his sixth 20-double campaign, tying Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist for second most in club history behind Evan Longoria (nine)...Joined TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr., CLE José Ramírez and TEX Marcus Semien as the only AL players to tally 100 hits and 50 walks in each of the last five seasons (2021-25)…joined Ben Zobrist (six, 2009-14) and B.J. Upton (2007-11) as the only Rays to meet those marks in five consecutive seasons...Led the majors with 260 hard-hit balls (95 mph EV or faster), the highest total by a Rays batter in the Statcast era (since 2015) and tied for the seventh-highest total by any Major League player in that time frame...Of his career-high 25 home runs, a career-high-tying five were leadoff shots (also: 2024), tied for second most in Rays history behind Corey Dickerson (six) in 2017…among AL hitters, only MIN Byron Buxton (11) had more leadoff blasts than Díaz (10) between 2024-25....Hit 18 HR in 78 home games and seven home runs in 72 road contests…over half (13) of his long balls came with the bases empty…hit a club-record 16 opposite-field home runs, tied with NYY Aaron Judge for second in the Majors behind ATH Nick Kurtz (18)…tied a franchise record (5x) with eight home runs in the first inning, a mark also matched by both Junior Caminero and Brandon Lowe in 2025...From the eighth inning on, slashed .390/.462/.470 (39-for-100), leading the Majors in batting average and on-base pct. in such situations…was batting .221 (21-for-95) against them before the All-Star break (91G)…following the Midsummer Classic, hit .381 (24-for-63) vs. southpaws over 59 games, second in the Majors (min. 60AB) to MIL Andrew Vaughn (.413)...Batted .306 (130-for-425) off right-handers, fifth in the Majors among qualified right-handed batters to NYY Aaron Judge (.328), TOR George Springer (.327), TOR Bo Bichette (.312) and HOU Jeremy Peña (.311)...Paced the Majors with a franchise-record 76 opposite-field hits, surpassing James Loney (57) in 2014…marked the second-highest total by any MLB player over the last eight seasons (2018-25), trailing TOR Bo Bichette (77) in 2023...Swung at the first pitch 19.0 pct. of the time, the second-lowest rate of his career to 2018 (18.5%)…hit a career-best .455 (25-for-55) in at-bats ending on the first pitch, fourth in the AL behind NYY Aaron Judge (.569), ATH Shea Langeliers (.468) and ATH Tyler Soderstrom (.467)...Was the only qualified hitter in the Majors with an average exit velocity of 92 mph or higher (93.0) and a whiff rate below 20 pct. (17.9%)…min. 100 PA, the average exit velocity was the third-highest mark by a Rays hitter under Statcast (since 2015) behind Díaz (93.4) in 2023 and Tommy Pham (93.1) in 2018...Made his seventh straight Opening Day roster with the Rays and eighth overall (CLE, 2017)...From April 13-14, became the first player in franchise history to hit leadoff home runs in consecutive games…was his sixth time hitting home runs of any type in back-to-back games, first since May 11-12, 2024...From April 23-24 at AZ, went a combined 6-for-11 (.545) with three doubles and four RBIs in back-to-back wins over the D-backs…recorded a go-ahead, two-run single in the seventh inning of the first win and a game-tying RBI-single in the ninth frame of the second victory...Entered June batting .241/.286/.405 (53-for-220) with eight home runs through 54 games…from June 1 on, slashed .336/.412/.529 (122-for-363) with 17 HR in his final 96 games, leading the AL in hits over that span…his .336 average was second in the majors in that timeframe, trailing TOR George Springer by percentage points (.3361 vs. Springer’s .3364)...Paced the majors in hits and batting average in June, going 40-for-100 (.400) with 4 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 13 RBI and a 1.079 OPS…became the third player in franchise history to hit .400 or better over a calendar month (min. 75AB) along with Fred McGriff in July 1999 (.422) and Matt Joyce in May 2011 (.414)...From June 8 25, hit safely in a season-high 15 straight games, going 30-for-63 (.476) at the plate…was part of a 27-game on-base streak from June 3–July 4, longest by a Rays hitter in 2025 and second longest of his career (29G from May 26–June 28, 2024)...On June 20 vs. DET, tallied his third career multi-homer game (including postseason), becoming the first Rays hitter to record multiple homers out of the leadoff spot since Brandon Lowe on Aug. 16, 2021 vs. BAL...On July 6 at MIN, roped a go-ahead RBI-double to plate the automatic runner in the 10th inning of a 7-5 win, his fourth career go-ahead RBI in extras, first since another go-ahead double in the 10th on May 3, 2022 at OAK off Lou Trivino...On July 18 vs. BAL, launched his second career grand slam in an 11-1 win, joining May 13, 2023 at NYY…went 3-for-4 with a walk, becoming the first Rays hitter to reach base four times and hit a grand slam in the same game since Joey Wendle on Aug. 29, 2021 at BAL…his four RBIs matched a career high (5x, last: July 9, 2023 vs. ATL)...On Aug. 2 vs. LAD, hit opposite-field home runs in each of his first two at-bats against Blake Snell, including a 326-foot leadoff blast and a 341-foot shot in the third frame, the shortest and fifth shortest home runs of his career…the former home run was the third-shortest over-the-fence shot by a Ray under Statcast (since 2015)…joined
BOS Rafael Devers (May 19, 2023) and CLE José Ramírez (Aug. 24, 2022 at SD) as the only players to record a multi-homer game off Snell in the two-time Cy Young winner’s career…including postseason, it was his fourth career multi-homer game and second in 2025 along with June 20 vs. DET…also joined the 2019 AL Wild Card Game on Oct. 2, 2019 at OAK and May 11, 2019 vs. NYY…went 3-for-4 in the win, his 65th three-hit game with the Rays, tying Aubrey Huff for third most in franchise history behind Carl Crawford (124G) and Evan Longoria (92G)...On Aug. 16 at SF, tallied a game-tying, two-out RBI-single in the eighth inning of a 2-1 win after Kevin Cash was ejected for arguing balls and strikes during the previous at bat…it came one day after he hit a game-winning, RBI-single in the ninth inning of a 7-6 win at Oracle Park...Hit a majors’-best .400 (32-for-80) with four 2B, three HR, nine RBI and a 1.057 OPS across 23 games in September, the highest average during the month in franchise history…paired with his .400 average in June, became the first Rays hitter to record multiple months batting .400 or better (min. 75AB) in his career…joined MIA Luis Arraez in 2023 (April/June) as the only Major Leaguers since 2011 to hit .400 or better in multiple calendar months of a season...On Sept. 3 vs. SEA, tied a franchise record with a career-high five hits, roping a double and four singles…marked the 11th five-hit game in Rays history, first since Tommy Pham on Sept. 19, 2019 at LAD and first in a nine-inning game since Tim Beckham on July 20, 2016 at COL…went 8-for-11 (.727) in the three-game set, tying his career high for hits in a series of four games or fewer (3x, last: July 7-9, 2023 vs. ATL)…capped a 16-for-30 (.533) stretch spanning eight games (Aug. 25–Sept. 3) that raised his average from .279 to .294...On Sept. 14 at CHC, opened the game with his fifth and final leadoff homer of the season…Junior Caminero followed with a solo shot of his own, marking the third time in franchise history the Rays opened a game with back-to-back homers…Díaz has been involved in two of the three instances, also accomplishing the feat with Austin Meadows on July 18, 2019 at NYY…the only other occurrence came on June 15, 1998 vs. TOR (Quinton McCracken/Wade Boggs)...From Sept. 14-21, drew a walk in a career-high eight consecutive games, the longest streak by a Ray since Ben Zobrist (9G) from May 10-18, 2011 and three games shy of Carlos Peña’s club-record 11-game streak (May 15-25, 2009)...Named AL Player of the Week for Sept. 15-21, his first career weekly award, after going 13-for-22 (.591) with two 2B, one HR, four RBI, nine BB and five R while reaching base safely in 22 of 31 PA (.710 OBP)…paced the majors in average, on-base pct., OPS (1.528) and hits while tying for first in walks during the week...On Sept. 15 vs. TOR, reached base in all 5 PA (2 1B, 2B, 2BB) as part of a streak of nine consecutive trips to the plate reaching safely…the five times on base matched a career high (6x), which he also tied earlier in the month on Sept. 3 vs. SEA...Completed the season ranked among all-time franchise leaders in the following categories: three-hit games (third, 69), multi-hit games (fourth, 262), hits (fifth, 882), runs scored (fifth, 431), walks (fifth, 377), doubles (sixth, 171), games played (sixth, 816), total bases (sixth, 1,358), extra-base hits (eighth, 274) and home runs (T-eighth, 99)…min. 1,500 PA, his .291 career average and .373 on-base pct. both ranked second in Rays history, trailing Carl Crawford (.296) and Fred McGriff (.380), respectively.
2024
Hit .281/.341/.414 (158-for-563) with 31 2B, one 3B, 14 HR, 65 RBI and 50 walks over a career-high 145 games...made starts at first base (110) and designated hitter (30)...was on the restricted list from July 20-26...Min. 350 PA, led Rays hitters in batting average and on-base pct...also paced the club in games, hits, doubles and walks...Recorded a club-record 20-game hitting streak from June 7-28, surpassing Jason Bartlett (19, 2009)...hit .360 (32-for-89) during the streak...Min. 100 AB, his .346 (44-for-127) average vs. left-handed pitching ranked sixth in MLB and was seventh highest in Rays history...Had more hits (158) than whiffs (153)...his 14.2 pct. whiff rate ranked seventh in the Majors...his 13.5 pct. whiff rate on breaking/offspeed pitches was fifth...was the only qualified Major League hitter with an average exit velocity of at least 92.0 mph (92.2) and a whiff rate below 15.0 pct...His 230 hard-hit balls (95 mph or more) were seventh most in the AL/11th in the Majors and second most in a season in club history, trailing only his own 2023 season (234)...Produced his third straight 30-double season, becoming the fourth Ray to accomplish the feat along with Evan Longoria (2015-17 & 2008-10), Ben Zobrist (2011-14) and B.J. Upton (2008-10)...joins BOS Rafael Devers, TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and CLE José Ramírez as the only AL hitters to turn the trick in each of the last three seasons (2022-24)...Hit .211 (26-for-123) over his first 31 games through May 1...batted .300 (132-for-440) over the next 114 games through the end of the season...Completed the season among all-time franchise leaders (min. 1,500 PA) in the following categories: on-base pct. (2nd, .374), average (4th, .289), OPS (5th, .814), walks (5th, 320), doubles (6th, 142), multi-hit games (6th, 209), hits (7th, 707), runs (8th, 352), total bases (8th, 1,077), games (8th, 666), extra-base hits (9th, 219) and RBI (10th, 313)...Made his sixth consecutive Opening Day roster with the Rays and seventh overall (CLE, 2017)..On March 28 vs. TOR, became the third player in Rays history with a leadoff home run on Opening Day, joining Austin Meadows (2019) and Gerald Williams (2000)...hit five leadoff homers during the season, tied with Rocco Baldelli (2006) for second most in Rays history behind Corey Dickerson (6) in 2017...Reached base safely in 34 consecutive road games from May 15–Aug. 22, tied for the second-longest streak in the majors all season behind NYM Francisco Lindor (36) and the third-longest run in franchise history behind Evan Longoria (38, Sept. 1, 2012–May 22, 2013) and Johnny Damon (36, April 8–June 20, 2011)...Strung together a career-high 29-game on-base streak from May 26–June 28, the seventh longest in the Majors all season and the seventh-longest single-season streak in Rays history...hit .311 (38-for-122) with 9 XBH and 15 RBI during the streak—the 38 hits were sixth most in the majors...Tallied an RBI in a franchise-record-tying eight straight games from June 19-26, matching streaks by Evan Longoria (2009), Ben Zobrist (2009), Carlos Peña (2008) and Rocco Baldelli (2004)...tied BOS Wilyer Abreu for the second-longest streak in the majors all season behind LAD Shohei Ohtani (10)...On June 28 vs. WSH, singled off Mitchell Parker in the third inning to extend his career-best hitting streak to a franchise-record 20 games...the hit came following an eight-pitch at-bat...Collected 104 hits before the All-Star break, tied for ninth most in Rays history and most since Corey Dickerson (107) in 2017...On Sept. 14 at CLE, became the seventh player in club history to reach 700 hits with a second-inning single, joining Carl Crawford, Aubrey Huff, Kevin Kiermaier, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist.
2023
Became the first player in Rays history to win an AL batting title…his .330 average marked a single-season club record, surpassing Jason Bartlett’s .320 in 2009...Appeared in 137 games and made a career-high 133 starts (1B-116G, DH-13G, 3B-3G)…was on the paternity list from July 14-17 for the birth of his son, but was on the active roster for the remainder of the season...Set career highs in nearly all offensive categories, including hits (173), doubles (35), HR (22), RBI (78), runs (95), batting average (.330), slugging pct. (.522) and OPS (.932)...Earned his first career All-Star selection, starting for the AL at first base…became the only first baseman in Rays history to win a fan election and the second infielder to do so, joining Evan Longoria in 2009 and 2010...Became the fourth player in Rays history to win an AL Silver Slugger Award, joining OF Carl Crawford (2010), 3B Evan Longoria (2009) and 1B Carlos Peña (2007)...Named the Rays Most Valuable Player in a unanimous vote by members of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the BBWAA…finished sixth in AL MVP voting, tying Evan Longoria (2010 & 2013) for the highest finish by a Ray in club history...In Baseball America’s annual Best Tools survey of Major League managers, coaches and executives, was voted as having the AL’s Best Strike-Zone Judgment for the second consecutive year…also rated as the third-best defensive first baseman in the AL...His .410 OBP ranked second in the AL behind LAA Shohei Ohtani (.412) and second in Rays history behind Carlos Peña (.411) in 2007…his .932 OPS ranked fourth behind Peña (1.037) in 2007, Fred McGriff in 1999 (.957) and Ben Zobrist (.948) in 2009....Ranked among AL batters in average (first, .330), OBP (second, .410), multi-hit games (T2nd, 53), OPS (third, .932), slugging pct. (fourth, .522), hits (fifth, 173), times on base (T5th, 246) and runs (T9th, 95)…also ranked highly in average exit velocity (third, 93.4 mph) and hard hit pct. (fourth, 54.0%)...His 173 hits were the most by a Ray since Evan Longoria (also 173) in 2016…his 53 multi-hit games ranked third in the AL and were the most by a Ray since Carl Crawford (54G) in 2009...Led all AL batters with 19 games of 3+ hits…marked the fourth most such games in the majors behind ATL Ronald Acuña Jr. (22G), LAD Freddie Freeman (21G) and MIA Luis Arraez (20G)…it tied Julio Lugo (2005) for the Rays single-season record...His .369 (52-for-141) average from the seventh inning on led the Majors, ahead of MIA Jon Berti (.342)…it signaled the highest mark in a season in club history, ahead of Matt Duffy (.352) in 2018...Hit .512 (22-for-43) against curveballs, the highest mark in the majors (min. 20AB ending with a curveball)...Made his sixth Opening Day roster; he has started each time (4-3B, 2-1B)...Began the season 19th on the all-time Rays hit list (376H)…ended the season 10th on the list with 549 hits, one shy of ninth-place Julio Lugo (550H)...Hit four lead-off HR, taking sole possession of the Rays all-time career record (11HR)…surpassed B.J. Upton (8HR) and Desmond Jennings (7HR)...His 22 home runs while batting first set a single-season club record, outpacing the 21 homers recorded by Brandon Lowe (2021) and Gerald Williams (2000)...Hit .363 (94-for-259) with 17 2B, 12 HR and 45 RBI in 69 home games…led the AL (min. 200PA) in home batting average and OBP (.447)—both marks signaled franchise records, outpacing Mallex Smith in 2018 (.347 AVG) and Fred McGriff in 1999 (.433 OBP)...Reached base safely in 33 straight games vs. AL East opponents from April 16–Sept. 16, the longest streak in Rays history...On April 18 at CIN, hit a career-long 440 ft. home run off Nick Lodolo…the following day, recorded a 114.5-mph home run off Levi Stoudt, the highest exit velocity registered on any hit in his career and the highest recorded by a Ray in 2023...Reached base safely in a career-high-tying 22 straight games from April 27–May 28 (also July 24–Aug. 16, 2020), slashing .359/.468/.692 (28-for-78) with 8 2B, 6 HR and 15 RBI during the run...Hit safely in a career-best 14 straight games from May 5–21, surpassing his previous high of 12 games from June 26–July 8, 2022…marked the longest streak by a Rays hitter in 2023...On May 9 at BAL, grounded into three double plays, tying the most in a game in Rays history (Ben Zobrist - Aug. 10, 2012 at MIN & Javier Valentín - June 17, 2003 at NYY-G1)...joined PHI Nick Castellanos as the only players in the majors with 3 GIDP in a game this season...On May 13 at NYY, hit his first career grand slam off Nestor Cortes, a 425-foot shot to the left field bleachers to put the Rays ahead, 5-0...Went 4-for-4 three times: June 25 vs. KC, Aug. 8 vs. STL and Sept. 11 at MIN…became the first player in franchise history to go 4-for-4 or better three times in a season...On Aug. 8 vs. STL, became the third player in Rays history to record 4+ hits on his birthday and the fifth to record a GW RBI on his birthday…became the first MLB hitter with 4+ hits and a GW RBI on his birthday since CLE José Ramírez on Sept. 27, 2020 at DET...Recorded a career-best six straight multi-hit games from Aug. 16-23…was the longest such streak by a Ray since Asdrúbal Cabrera (6G: Aug. 2-8, 2015)...On Sept. 9 vs. SEA, hit his first career walk-off home run off Tayler Saucedo, marking the seventh opposite-field, walk-off home run in Rays history...Went 7-for-9 (.778) over his final four games and 26-for-59 (.441) with a 1.270 OPS in his last 17 contests from Sept. 9 on...ASG: Earned his first career All-Star Game selection and started at first base…opened the scoring in the 2023 Midsummer Classic with an solo homer off PIT Mitch Keller in the second inning…became the third Rays hitter to homer in an All-Star Game, joining Mike Zunino (2021) and Carl Crawford (2007)...POSTSEASON: Went 1-for-8 in the Rays AL Wild Card Series vs. Texas, recording a lead-off single in Game 2.
2022
Set career highs with 71 runs, 140 hits, 33 2B, 78 BB and a .824 OPS…appeared in 137 games and made 126 starts (97-3B, 15-1B, 14-DH)...With 78 BB and 60 SO, was one of six players in the majors to qualify for leaderboards and finish with more walks than strikeouts, joining MIN Luis Arraez, HOU Alex Bregman, TOR Alejandro Kirk, CLE Steven Kwan and WSH/SD Juan Soto…became the first qualifier in Rays history to finish with more walks than strikeouts...Ranked fifth in the majors with a .401 OBP behind NYY Aaron Judge (.425), LAD Freddie Freeman (.407), HOU Yordan Alvarez (.406) and STL Paul Goldschmidt (.404)…tied for 11th in the Majors and tied for fourth in the AL with 78 BB...Min. 100 AB, his .332 avg. on the road ranked second in the AL behind CHW José Abreu (.334)...His .401 OBP ranked fourth for a single season in franchise history behind Carlos Peña (.411) in 2007, Fred McGriff (.405) in 1999 and Ben Zobrist (.405) in 2009…his .421 OBP on the road ranked 3rd in Rays history behind John Jaso (.425) in 2010 and José Canseco (.424) in 2000...Hit 26 2B in his last 74 games (68 starts), compared to seven 2B in his first 63 games (58 starts)… from June 26 through the end of the season, his 26 2B tied for third in the majors behind TOR Bo Bichette (28) and LAD Mookie Betts (27)...Hit safely in a career-high 12 consecutive games from June 26–July 8, batting .457/.546/.630 (21- for-46) with eight 2B and three BI over that stretch...Was on the COVID-19 Related IL on April 23 due to symptoms…only started two of the club’s last 15 games due to left shoulder soreness...Won the club’s Paul C. Smith Champion Award, as voted by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the BBWAA…the award is given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field...In Baseball America’s annual Best Tools survey of major league managers, coaches and executives, was ranked as having the AL’s Best StrikeZone Discipline...Made his fifth Opening Day roster, all starts (4-3B, 1-1B)...On May 2 at OAK, homered off Daulton Jefferies in the first inning for the fourth leadoff homer of his career…including postseason, marked the third time in franchise history the Rays hit a leadoff homer at the Oakland Coliseum, joining Díaz off Sean Manaea in the 2019 AL Wild Card Game and Rocco Baldelli on Aug. 11, 2016...On May 3 at OAK, hit a go-ahead, RBI double off Lou Trivino in the 10th inning…marked the second time in his career he delivered a go-ahead hit in the ninth inning (or later), following a 10th-inning RBI double on Sept. 12, 2021 at DET...On May 14 vs. TOR, hit a leadoff homer for the second time in his last 11 games…the distance on the homer was 333 feet, according to Statcast, and would have gone out in seven of 30 ballparks…was the shortest over-the-fence homer by the Rays at Tropicana Field since Brad Miller hit a 329-foot homer on May 9, 2017 vs. KC...On Aug. 9 at MIL, snapped a career-long 0-for-21 drought with a two-run homer in the third inning...On Aug. 26 at BOS, sent the first pitch from Michael Wacha over the Green Monster… marked the 23rd time in club history that the first pitch was hit for a leadoff homer, 11th time on the road and first time at Fenway Park… marked the 12th time since pitch-tracking data became available (1988) that a visitor homered on the first pitch of a game at Fenway Park, first since CHW Tim Anderson on April 18, 2021… became the second visitor since pitch-tracking is available to hit a first-pitch leadoff homer and steal a base in the same game at Fenway Park, joining BAL Brian Roberts on July 31, 2007...On Sep. 30 at HOU, returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Sep. 19 vs. HOU, going nine games in between starts due to left shoulder soreness…reached base in his first four PA, recorded a season-high-tying three hits and hit a two-run double off Framber Valdez in the sixth inning as the Rays clinched a Wild Card berth... Started both games of the AL Wild Card Series at CLE at third base…hit leadoff in both games and went a combined 0-for-10...On Jan. 31, 2023, signed a three-year, $24 million contract through the 2025 season, including a club option for 2026.
2021
Recorded a career-high 64 RBI and his 13 HR were one shy of tying a career-high from 2019…all 13 HR came in his last 80 games after going 54 games without one to begin the season...According to FanGraphs, swung at 22.7 pct. of pitches outside the zone, fourth-lowest in the AL...Hit .288/.367/.445 (55-for-191) vs. LHP and .273/.386/.400 (60-for-220) at Tropicana Field...Made his fourth Opening Day roster (2017, 2019-21), all starts (3-3B, 1-1B)...On June 6 at TEX, recorded a bases-loaded walk in the 8th inning and hit a two-run homer in the 9th…marked his first homer since Aug. 21, 2020, vs. TOR, going 62 games and 210 AB in between...On July 5 vs. CLE, recorded his first career walk-off RBI on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice...On Sept. 16 vs. DET, hit his third career leadoff homer and first since April 27, 2019, at BOS...POSTSEASON: Hit .200 (3-for-15) in four games (three starts)…delivered an RBI single in the first inning of both Games 1-2 of the ALDS vs. BOS.
2020
Appeared in 34 games and made 30 starts (22-3B, 6-DH, 2-1B) before suffering a right hamstring strain on Aug 31, ending his regular season… returned in time for the start of the postseason...At the time of his injury, ranked 2nd in the AL with a .428 OBP and 3rd with 23 BB…according to StatCast, his 18 opposite-field hits through Aug 31 tied for most in the majors...Hit .355/.444/.452 (33-for-93) with 3 2B, 2 HR and 11 RBI in August…min. 75 PA, led the AL in on-base pct. and ranked 2nd in avg. …this came on the heels of a 2-for-21 start through 7 games...Made 7 starts batting leadoff and reached base safely leading off the 1st inning five times...Hit .325/.460/.425 (13-for-40) with 2 outs...Walked in each of his first 7 games, the longest streak of his career and the longest streak to start a season in club history, passing Gabe Gross (5) in 2009…was the first player in the majors to start a season in this fashion since CIN Jonny Gomes (8) and ATL Jason Heyward (8) in 2011...Reached base safely in his first 22 games, the second-longest streak to start a season in franchise history behind Rocco Baldelli (24) in 2003…hit .301 (22-for-73) with 17 BB during the streak...Went 16 games (15 starts) before his first RBI, the longest stretch by a Ray to start the season since Logan Morrison (28) in 2016...Both homers came in back-to-back games from Aug 20-21 at NYY, vs. TOR…hit 2 HR in a stretch of 3 AB after going 110 AB without one...Made his third Opening Day roster…started at first base after Opening Day starts at third base in 2017 (with CLE) and 2019 (with TB).
2019
Limited to 79 games due to three stints on the injured list, the third of which cost him over two months…hit 14 HR in 347 PA for the Rays, compared to 1 HR in 299 PA over two seasons with the Indians and 9 HR in 1,099 PA between the minors and majors over those two seasons...Sustained a left foot contusion on July 22 vs. BOS, when he fouled a ball off his foot with the Rays trailing 9-4 in the 9th inning…did not return until the final game of the regular season...While progressing back from his left foot injury, felt an increase of pain while taking ground balls prior to the game on Aug 7…CT scan results revealed an uncommon hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his left foot...Sidelined from May 20-June 1 with a left hand contusion and from June 17-26 with right hamstring discomfort...Hit .500 (8-for-16) with 1 2B, 2 HR and 3 BB leading off a game and .337 (28-for-83) with 5 HR and 10 RBI out of the leadoff spot in the order...Made his second Opening Day roster, both starts at third base (2016)…became the 11th Cuban-born player in franchise history...On March 29 vs. HOU, hit his first home run as a Ray, a solo shot in the 6th inning off Gerrit Cole…since StatCast was introduced in 2015, his homer tied for the club's lowest by launch angle (17°), joining Brad Miller on June 17, 2016 vs. SF...On April 7 at SF, homered off Drew Pomeranz for the first leadoff homer of his career...On May 11 vs. NYY, hit a solo homer off CC Sabathia in the 3rd inning and a 3-run shot off Nestor Cortes Jr. in the 8th for the first multi-HR game of his career…his 4 RBI were a career high...On July 2 vs. BAL, pinch-ran and scored in the 6th inning and walked and scored in the 7th… became the second player in franchise history to score multiple runs without an official at-bat, joining Geoff Blum on Aug 29, 2004 at OAK...On July 18 at NYY (G1), was the second of back-to-back homers with Austin Meadows to lead off the 1st inning…it was the second time in club history Rays hitters hit back-to-back homers to lead off a game, following June 15, 1998 vs. TOR (Quinton McCracken, Wade Boggs)...Started at first base in the AL Wild Card Game at OAK and started the first 3 games of the ALDS against the Astros, one as the designated hitter and two at third base…was replaced in the 3rd inning of Game 3...Hit leadoff in the Wild Card Game and homered in the 1st and 3rd innings, becoming the fifth Ray with a multi-HR game in the postseason and the first to do it in a "winner take all" game...Was the 10th player in postseason history with a multi-HR effort in a "winner take all" game but only the second out of the leadoff spot, joining BOS Johnny Damon in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS…he became the first leadoff hitter to homer in each of his first 2 AB of a postseason...According to Stats LLC, was the first position player to homer in the postseason after not having any hits after July in the regular season.
2018
Appeared in 39 games and made 26 starts (15DH, 6-1B, 5-3B) over two stints with the Indians… was on the active roster from June 20-23 and Aug 12 through the end of the season...Hit .407/.515/.519 (11-for-27) over his final 13 games (7 starts) of the season...In his season debut on July 20 at TEX, went 4-for-6 with 2 RBI and 2 runs in an 11-inning win…was the second 4-hit game of his career… was the first Indians player with 4 hits in his season debut since David Dellucci in 2009...On Sep 4 vs. KC, hit his first career home run, a solo shot off Jake Newberry in the 5th inning… came in the 244th plate appearance of his career, snapping the Indians longest homerless drought to begin a major league career since John McDonald in 2002...Finished the season as the International League leader with a .409 OBP…ranked 2nd with 70 BB and 6th with a .293 avg. …at the time of his last recall, was leading the IL in walks and was tied for 6th with 24 2B...POSTSEASON: Was the starting designated hitter in Game 3 of the ALDS, an 11-3 loss against the Astros…doubled in the 2nd inning off Dallas Keuchel.
2017
Split the season between Cleveland and AAA Columbus, opening the season on the Major League roster after a torrid spring training and finished the season with a strong six weeks at the Major League level...Hit .458 (22/48) in Spring Training with 2 HR and 15 RBI (1.252 OPS) and made the club out of spring training as was the club's Opening Day third baseman...Collected his first Major League hit in his third at bat of his Major League debut on April 3 at Texas, a double off Yu Darvish...Hit .236 (13/55) with 9 runs, 1 2B, 2 RBI in 15 games in his first stint before being optioned to Columbus on April 21 when Jason Kipnis returned from the D.L...Was also with Cleveland, May 8-15, going 0-for-9 in 3 games...Recalled for a third and final time on August 22 and spent the rest of the season at Major League level. Around his tenure in Cleveland, he batted .350 (108/309) in Columbus with 56 runs, 17 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR & 33 RBI in 85 games (.454/.460/.914)...At the time of August 22 recall he was leading the International League in on-base pct. (.454) and batting average and was third in OPS (.914) and tied for sixth in walks (60)... He batted .371 (33/89) off LHP and hit .321 (16/57) with runners on base..At AAA he appeared in 42 games in third, 21 games in left field, 9 games in right field and 1 game at second base. With Cleveland he made 37 starts at third base, 5 starts at DH and 3 starts in left field...Made 2 errors in 71 total chances at third base (.972)....Enjoyed a career-game on August 24 vs. Boston, going 4-for-4 with 4 runs, 2 doubles, a triple and 2 RBI (single-game bests in hits, doubles, runs)...Walked or hit safely in 35 of 45 starts...From August 24 thru the end of his season he batted .326 (28/86) with 16 runs, 7 2B, 1 3B & 10 RBI in 29 games to end the season....Over his last stint in August and September he batted .304 (28/92) with 16 runs, 7 2B, 1 3B & 10 RBI in 31 games (.407/.810)....Díaz did not draw a walk in his last 53 PA's dating back to Sept. 7...Appeared in 11 games for Caracas in the VWL (10/30) before being shutdown on Nov. 26 with groin/abdominal sorenes.
2016
Had an outstanding season in his third campaign in the Indians organization, leading the International League in on-base pct (.399) while participating in the MLB XM Futures Game in July...Was named International League Rookie of the Year following the season...Also finished among Int'l League leaders in average (2nd, .325) and OPS (3rd, .860)...Among orgnaizational leaders he finished 2nd in batting average (.318) and on-base pct. (.408) and 3rd in OPS (.854), 4th in hits (141) and tied for 5th in walks (71)... Was named an MiLB.com organizational all-star for the second straight season... Combined on the year he batted .318 (141-444) with 66 runs, 22 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR and 58 RBI in 121 games between AA Akron and AAA Columbus...Was promoted from Akron to Columbus on May 12... Reeled off a 28-game hitting streak from July 6 to August 10, the longest hitting streak in the IL since 2007 (Brandon Watson 43-games)...Combined on the year he appeared in 52 games at third base, 28 games in right field, 24 games in left field, 5 games at second base and 1 game in center field...After the season he hit .371 (56-151) in 40 games in the Venezuelan Winter League for Caracas (.451/.510/.961) ...Was second in the league in on-base and average and third in OPS (appeared in all but one game in the outfield)...Rated by Baseball America as having the best strike zone discipline in the system.
