The mood around the clubhouse was routine at first.
Batting practice wrapped up, players went through their normal pregame rhythm, and the lineup card looked mostly settled.
Then came a late adjustment involving one of the team’s most important players.
Gabriel Moreno, catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was scratched from Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals because of right forearm tightness, manager Torey Lovullo confirmed before the game.
According to Lovullo, the discomfort had been bothering Moreno for several days, and the team scheduled imaging tests later that night.
The late decision immediately drew attention because Moreno is expected to handle the majority of Arizona’s catching duties this season.
A late change before first pitch
Lovullo explained that the coaching staff and medical team preferred not to push the issue further once the tightness persisted.
“He’s been feeling it for a few days,” Lovullo told reporters, explaining that the club decided testing was the safest next step.
The Diamondbacks also made another lineup change shortly before the game. Pavin Smith was scratched with left forearm tightness. Unlike Moreno, Smith was not scheduled to undergo imaging tests.
Smith, now 30 years old, is expected to rotate between first base and designated hitter this season. In 2025, he posted a .258 batting average with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs.
Why Moreno’s health matters for Arizona
For the Diamondbacks, Moreno’s importance goes far beyond the box score.
The Venezuelan catcher won the 2023 Gold Glove Award, which confirmed his status as one of the strongest defensive catchers in the league. His pitch framing, quick release on throws, and ability to guide pitchers have made him a steady presence behind the plate.
Last season, Moreno appeared in 83 games and finished with a .285 batting average, 9 home runs, and 40 RBIs. The offensive production was solid, but the total number of games also highlighted an ongoing challenge.
Over the past two seasons, injuries have limited Moreno’s playing time, forcing Arizona to manage his workload carefully.
According to publicly available defensive metrics from Statcast and FanGraphs, Moreno consistently ranks among the more effective catchers in baseball when it comes to controlling the running game and framing pitches.
Early-season caution from the Diamondbacks
That defensive value explains why the team is taking a careful approach.
Catcher injuries can quickly affect a pitching staff. The position requires constant communication with pitchers, along with physical strain from squatting and blocking pitches.
Arizona’s roster includes several young pitchers who rely heavily on Moreno’s guidance during games. Even a short absence could shift how the pitching staff operates in the early weeks of the season.
Arizona waits for medical clarity
For now, the Diamondbacks are waiting for the imaging results.
If the tests show nothing serious, Moreno could return to the lineup relatively quickly. If the tightness points to something more significant, Arizona may need to lean on its catching depth while he recovers.
Either way, the team’s early-season plans revolve heavily around its Gold Glove catcher. Moreno’s health will play a major role in how stable the defense looks as the season gets underway.
This article is based on statements from Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and game-day reporting, along with publicly available statistics from MLB, Statcast, and FanGraphs.
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