The Diamondbacks announced that catcher Gabriel Moreno has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left thumb. Jose Herrera has been called up from Triple-A, and Herrera with team with Tucker Barnhart as Arizona’s catching combo until Moreno has recovered.
Moreno’s injury took place in last night’s game, as the backstop’s glove hand was hit by a Cristian Pache foul ball in the third inning. Moreno tried to stay in the game but the discomfort eventually forced him to make an early exit in the sixth frame. D’Backs manager Torey Lovullo told media (including Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports) after the game that x-rays were negative on Moreno’s thumb, so the catcher at least avoided a more serious structural injury that would’ve cost him more time or even possibly threatened his season.
Heralded as one of baseball’s top prospects during his time in the Blue Jays’ farm system, Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. were acquired by the D’Backs in exchange for Daulton Varsho during the 2022-23 offseason. Moreno’s first full season saw him win a Gold Glove, hit .284/.339/.408 in 380 plate appearances, and then excel in Arizona’s playoff run to the NL pennant, seemingly cementing his place as one of the sport’s up and coming stars.
However, the sophomore slump seems to have bitten Moreno in his follow-up campaign, as he has hit only .230/.313/.346 with three homers over 217 PA. A .261 BABIP hasn’t helped his efforts, though Moreno isn’t making much hard contact. On the plus side, his strikeout and walk rates are both well above average, and Moreno’s defense remains remains elite.
Asking as a Jays fan to DBacks fans. How was he playing before the injury? How’s he handling the plate/pitching staff?
“How’s he handling”…From the Blue Jay perspective the Moreno(& Gurriel)for Varsho deal looks better this year than last.
He’s one of the best defensive catchers in the league (gold glove last year).
Offense has taken a step back this year but he’s looked better the last couple weeks.
“Best defensive catchers”…I’m mostly talking about Varsho, who has really played well, especially compared to last year.
What??? I was replying to the guy who asked how Moreno’s doing.
Hasn’t been hitting as well as last year but I think it was due to him trying to do too much. He was just figuring it out.
Pitching staff wise, I haven’t looked at the numbers, but it always seems like pitchers perform better with him back there.
And he’s awesome defensively.
I was really sad to see Varsho go and obviously the post trade performance is what it is but Gabby is fun to watch, I’m sad teams don’t run on him as much as they did last year. He’s got a cannon.
I agree Gabi’s defense has been excellent. Regarding his hitting, early in the season, I feel like Gabi was trying to hit for more power and got away from hitting to the right side where he excelled. Of late, it feels like he has gotten back to his old approach.
* Herrera will team
As a diehard dbacks fan this kills us. He’s the man that makes this team go. Don’t look at the average. He was getting hot but most importantly it’s how he handles the pitching staff. Dbaxks have lost 12 people this year
Gabi and Perdomo are a lot more important to this team than non Dbacks fans may realize. Every team has guys like this that don’t put up the staggering numbers, but contribute in so many ways to a winning team and clubhouse.
Why not make a 40-man roster move and bring up a catcher who can actually hit, Del Castillo?
cause he can’t catch. we need a good defender.Hes ok
I’ll take his offense, regardless of his defense, any day. Our offense can be seriously anemic way too often.
I’m really amazed this team is at 500 and in the wildcard race with most of the Starting pitchers on the shelf, Thomas out and Moreno and Carroll; in slumps. Won’t get much from Herrera.
Gabby is a superstar young player. Sure he’s slumped from the plate, but it’s incredible that they are around .500 with their pitching, and that shows the greatness of his leadership. It’s about wins at the end of the day. His numbers are going to improve as the season progresses, along with the team getting better and better and building into a playoff run. He’s a championship player and a big part of their core for a long time.