Ahead of the Diamondbacks’ game against the Twins on Wednesday, manager Torey Lovullo provided an encouraging injury update on starting catcher Gabriel Moreno. Lovullo announced that Moreno, who is recovering from a sprained left thumb, is expected to participate in either a complex league or a simulated game this weekend.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Lovullo confirmed that Moreno’s injury is not expected to sideline him for longer than the initially anticipated 10 days. This is a relief for the Diamondbacks, who have dealt with several significant injuries this season, including Zac Gallen’s hamstring strain and Eduardo Rodriguez’s lat issue, both of which turned out to be more serious than initially thought.
In Moreno’s absence, Tucker Barnhart has been filling in behind the plate. During the series opener against the Twins, Barnhart contributed offensively by driving in Eugenio Suarez with a single up the middle, helping the Diamondbacks secure a 5-4 win and bringing them within one game of .500.
The Diamondbacks also have Jose Herrera available behind the plate. Herrera was called up from Triple-A when Moreno was sent to the 10-day IL.
Lovullo expressed optimism about Moreno’s return, telling reporters, “We’re looking to get him back on the 11th day. We feel really good about that.” This timeline would see Moreno rejoining the lineup during the series finale against the Atlanta Braves next Thursday. If all goes as planned, Moreno will be fully healthy for Arizona’s final series before the All-Star break, a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays from July 12th to July 14th.
This upcoming series might hold special significance for the 24-year-old, who spent the first season of his MLB career in Toronto before being traded to the Diamondbacks in 2022
Stay tuned for further updates.
