SAN DIEGO — The Arizona Diamondbacks might be on a roll after their sixth straight win Friday, but eyes are now on catcher Gabriel Moreno after manager Torey Lovullo’s latest update.
Sep 25, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) is congratulated by right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) after scoring during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
The D-Backs took the first game of the series against the San Diego Padres, an 11-4 win that saw plenty of offense, including from Moreno. However, he was taken out of the game, with Lovullo saying it was due to a tender left hamstring, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert.
Lovullo expects Moreno to be available as the designated hitter Saturday, and the club is planning to call up another catcher to provide additional depth. The club has already made a roster move to prepare, designating Jesus Sanchez for assignment.
Per @Dbacks mgr Torey Lovullo Gabriel Moreno left the game with a tender left hamstring. Expects him to be in lineup as DH tomorrow. Will call up a catcher to have another backup just in case. Jesus Sanchez designated for assignment to make room.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) September 26, 2026
Although Lovullo did not indicate there was significant concern over Arizona’s catcher, the tenderness does come at an unideal time.
Moreno has been one of the lineup’s main offensive catalysts this season, relying heavily on his production during a career year. The 26-year-old is hitting .311 with 16 home runs, 82 RBIs and a .874 OPS through 129 games entering Saturday.
Against the Padres, he went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
Sep 15, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Jesus Sanchez hits a single in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Those numbers are why the Diamondbacks can’t afford to lose him if the hamstring gets worse. With the Philadelphia Phillies dropping their first game to the Tampa Bay Rays that same night, the D-Backs are now just one game back of the final National League wild-card spot at 86-74, with two more games to go — and they hold the tiebreaker over the Phillies.
With a now-or-never mentality over the next two games, balancing Moreno’s offensive value with the need to avoid aggravating the hamstring even more will be the club’s newest challenge.
Sep 25, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) is tagged out at second base by San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) as he tries to steal second base during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
