Diamondbacks Gabriel Moreno Exits Game With Leg Injury

The D-backs might be down their young catcher for a period of time.

Aug 2, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the second inning against the Guardians, Arizona Diamondbacks stud young catcher Gabriel Moreno went down with a groin injury, while running out an infield single. He limped off the field with a trainer.

According to the team, it was a left groin strain for the young Gold Glove backstop. Injuries of such nature can require multiple weeks, if not up to several months to recover from, depending on the grade.

Moreno had homered in his first at-bat in the two-hole, helping the D-backs jump out to an early 2-0 lead, following Ketel Marte's 28th home run of the season.

In the top of the second, Moreno ripped a groundball off pitcher Logan T. Allen, but went down, grabbing his groin muscle after running to first base. Arizona will turn to backup Jose Herrera to finish the contest.

Moreno had been having an excellent season, albeit with some short time spent on the IL dealing with a sprained thumb, but has hit to a .259/.342/.383 slash this season. He's been exceptionally hot as of late, slashing .313/.382/.438 in his last 15 games, and slugging .526 in his last seven.

If Moreno misses extended time, which does appear likely, the D-backs might turn to young prospect Adrian Del Castillo.

Del Castillo has slashed .319/.403/.608 with 24 home runs in Triple-A Reno this season, and although he isn't considered to be of the same defensive prowess as Moreno--as high a bar as that is--he has made strides in his defense behind the plate.

The D-backs tend to fare poorly without their young Gold Glove catcher behind home plate. Both his offensive and defensive production have crucial facets of Arizona's success. If Moreno misses extended time, they'll have to make do with Herrera and potentially Del Castillo to fill a sizable gap in their roster.

Torey Lovullo spoke to D-backs TV's Todd Walsh regarding Moreno's injury, and what he means to this team.

“You see one of your own go down like that, it wasn’t a great sight. But he’s on his feet right now, and he’ll be heading back to Arizona to get examined by our group,” Lovullo said.

“When you’re talking about what he can do, on both sides, he impacts it offensively and defensively. We’re hoping it’ll be a quick turnaround, we’ll get that information as soon as possible, but we’ll have to deal with it. We know he’s going to be down for a little while, and how long is yet to be determined."

"He has ingrained himself into this team and this organization with a year and a half’s time, and he’s a very important player to us for sure," said the manager.

Regardless of how long the D-backs could be without their young catcher, the impact will be felt by the club. With no timeline or injury grade yet to be divulged, Diamondbacks on SI wil continue to monitor the situation.