Good morning from Minneapolis,

Virtually every team that accomplishes something special needs a few guys to surprise.

Gavin Sheets has been that guy on the Padres offense after signing a minor-league deal a week before spring training. Nick Pivetta is the rotation’s standout in every way when he was supposed to be a complementary piece. Adrian Morejón, still just 26, has realized his potential to become one of the best relievers in the major leagues after a few fits and starts over his decade in the organization.

If not for that trio, the Padres are not on pace for 90-plus wins and a second consecutive postseason appearance.

But what Elias Díaz has done over the past month stands out in a different way.

He went from starting almost half the Padres games and playing in nearly 80% of th

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