ID-Backs scratch the catcher Gabriel Moreno from tonight’s Spring Training game against the Royals, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters (including Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports). Glover Glover is dealing with arm stiffness and looking at photography.
Lovullo downplayed the concern, noting it was less of a problem for Moreno when he pitched. The MRI appears to be a cautionary tale, though it’s a situation the D-Backs will monitor closely. Moreno has had his share of injuries over the past few seasons. He missed time in 2023 with a left shoulder problem, had thumb and adductor problems in ’24, then missed two months last season when a bad tip broke his right index finger.
When healthy, Moreno is one of the two best catchers in MLB. He is hitting .285/.353/.433 at the plate. He is a very good outfielder, a great receiver with a solid arm who has thrown out 30% of basestealers in his career.
Unregistered invitee Aramis Garcia I got into tonight’s show. He is slated to open the season in Triple-A but could miss camp if Moreno’s arm discomfort lands him on the injured list. James McCann he is currently set for a backup role and will be the primary option behind the plate. Adrian Del Castillothe only other catcher on the 40-man roster, has not played this spring because of a strained left calf. He will open the season on the 10-day injured list.
Elsewhere in the camp, Arizona’s outdoor image will take center stage. Corbin Carroll he returned to the lineup as the designated hitter on Wednesday. He is a month removed from a fractured hamate in his right hand that required surgery. Carroll always hopes to be ready for Opening Day and is trending in that direction. He still needs to clear the hurdle of getting back on the field but projects as a right-handed starter.
Jordan Lawler had an impressive camp as he tries to nail down the center field job. The former top prospect is hitting .323 with four homers in 37 plate appearances. Lawlar, who hadn’t pitched before offseason work in the Dominican Winter League, went 66 innings over 10 starts this spring.
Lovullo spoke highly of the 23-year-old’s early career (link via Steve Gilbert of MLB.com). They will take the last part of camp to move him, as he is expected to find work in the outside corners. Lovullo added that the Snakes still view Lawlar as an emergency option in the short term, but his interior defense was a big problem last year. ID-Backs received Nolan Arenado to join Geraldo Perdomo on the left side of the infield, meaning Lawlar is more important to the team as an outfielder.
The bat should ensure that he is in the Opening Day lineup for the first time in his career, most likely in center field. Alex Thomas he will probably play left until Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is recovering from last season’s ACL tear. A left field prospect Ryan Waldschmidt had an outside chance to break camp, but hit .257 with 11 hits and just two walks in 37 plate appearances this spring. Waldschmidt’s stats from the season opener at Triple-A Reno.
On the shooting side, Merrill Kelly he made his debut in the evening. He had suffered from back pain at the beginning of the camp. The injury derailed plans for Kelly to make his Opening Day debut, but there is no indication he will start the season on the injured list. The Snakes may have him back in the game and hope he’s even ready for the season-shortened first game in the first week of April. Zac Gallen instead tabbed his fourth straight Opening Day start.
Corbin Burns a true ace, although he is still months away from returning to game action. The former Cy Young winner hit a milestone in his analysis of Tommy John’s career last June. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that Burnes threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday — his first mound work since surgery. The four-time All-Star was encouraged by the outing, noting that he ran his fastball up to 91 mph (higher than he expected in his first bullpen session) while commanding the ball as well as he had hoped.
