Gabriel Moreno Back in Lineup for D-backs vs. A's

Merrill Kelly gets another spring tuneup and will work with the Gold Glove catcher

When the Diamondbacks face the A's at Salt River Fields Monday for a Cactus League game, Gabriel Moreno will be a sight for sore eyes behind the plate. After missing a week of games due to a sore lower back, the Gold Glove-winning backstop is back in the lineup for Arizona.  Game time is 1:10 P.M. There is no television broadcast of the game, but you can listen to audio via MLB.TV.

Lineups

A's at D-backs Lineups March 18th / Jack Sommers

Moreno is one of the most essential players on the Diamondbacks roster, and any prolonged absence would put a major dent in the team's hopes to return to the postseason. Last year the catcher generated more defensive value than any player in Major League Baseball,  posting 3.1  Defensive WAR according to Baseball Reference.  Moreno was one of the D-backs' best hitters over the final two months of the year as well,  batting .313 with a .894 OPS and then slugging four homers in the postseason.

Moreno is catching Merrill Kelly, who is making his third Spring Training start as he looks to get stretched out for his expected first start of the year on March 29th against the Rockies. Following behind Zac Gallen, Kelly has been slow-played this spring in his ramp up to Opening Day due to his workload last season.  In two spring outings this year he's thrown five innings, giving up two runs on five hits. His trademark command has been sharp early, as he's not walked a batter and struck out seven. 

Closer Paul Sewald and lefties Andrew Saalfrank and Kyle Nelson are scheduled to pitch behind Kelly. Saalfrank and Nelson are competing for one of the final bullpen spots available. 

Geraldo Perdomo is still out of the lineup with a sore left knee. Jace Peterson, who is competing for a backup infield role, will get the start at shortstop. Another player fighting for a roster spot, Jake McCarthy, will get the start in center field.  With the slow return of newly signed Outfielder/DH Randall Grichuk, McCarthy has had an opportunity to make a roster push to open the season. He's batting 9-for 35, .257 with two doubles and a triple so far. 

Veteran right-hander  Ross Stripling will start for the A's.  The former Dodger, Blue Jay, and Giant has pitched for eight seasons. He's appeared in 226 games, throwing 761 games with a lifetime 3.96 ERA and 38-43 record.  He's having an extremely rough spring, however. In 10.1 innings of work, he's given up 15 runs, 13 earned, on 20 hits, including two homers for an 11.32 ERA