RHP Jairo Diaz, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March, will leave Tuesday for the Rockies' complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., and continue his rehab there. He will begin throwing bullpen sessions.

RHP Jairo Diaz (Tommy John surgery in March 2016) went on the 60-day disabled list April 3. He likely will miss the entire season.

Diaz served up a go-ahead three-run homer to Pedro Alvarez in the eighth inning of Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.

Diaz took a loss for the first time in his big-league career, but the fact that he was entrusted to protect the Rockies' 4-2 lead in the eighth inning demonstrates just how far he's climbed up the bullpen pecking order since his Aug. 23 call-up. Aside from perhaps Justin Miller, Diaz looks like the Rockies' next best setup man to closer John Axford. The hard-throwing right-hander has supplied a 3.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts over his 15 innings in the big leagues this season.

Diaz picked up his fourth hold after recording a lone out in the eighth inning of Monday's win over the Padres.

Though Diaz had only modest success at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, the early returns have been encouraging since he joined the Rockies in late August. In nine appearances spanning eight innings, Diaz has recorded a 1.13 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, emerging as one of the more trusted setup options in the Rockies' bullpen.

Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

After failing to make the big club out of spring training, Diaz has lingered at Triple-A all season, generating a 4.58 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 50:37 K:BB ratio over 55 innings. The high walk rate wouldn't seem to portend much success in a harsh pitching environment like Colorado, so expect manager Walt Weiss to use Diaz in low-leverage situations initially.

Diaz was optioned to the minor leagues on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies did not specify which minor league affiliate Diaz was optioned to, but the right-hander figures to start at Triple-A despite struggling to a 7.11 ERA with two home runs allowed in 6.1 spring innings with the major league team. He posted a 2.20 ERA and 4.80 K/BB with the Angels' Double-A affiliate last year.

Diaz was dealt to the Rockies late Wednesday night in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

In joining a Rockies relief corps that ranked among one of baseball's worst last season, Diaz's chances of claiming an Opening Day roster spot should be far greater with his new club than they would have been with the Angels. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut last September for the Angels, accruing a 3.18 ERA while punching out eight batters over five appearances. The late-season call-up to the big leagues was the terminal point of a meteoric rise through the Angels organization for the converted catcher, who had began the year with High-A Inland Empire. With a fastball that routinely sits in the mid-to-high 90s, Diaz could be an intriguing find for a bullpen that sorely needs high-impact arms.

Diaz had his contract purchased from Double-A Arkansas on Monday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Diaz will join the Angels bullpen as they look to continue to stay atop the AL West. He pitched his way to a career-best 2.20 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with Double-A Arkansas, and also posted a career-high 13.2 K/9 rate.