Diamondbacks recall Adrian Del Castillo amid Gabriel Moreno’s hamstring issue

The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled catcher Adrian Del Castillo on Saturday ahead of the final two regular-season games as Gabriel Moreno is dealing with an injured hamstring.

Moreno left Friday’s game at the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning with a tender left hamstring, according to manager Torey Lovullo.

At the time, the D-backs led 11-3 going into the bottom of the inning, as it seemed they were getting their catcher off his feet to end the game.

The issue happened when Moreno was running the bases during an 11-4 win, a victory to push the D-backs up to one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the race for the final playoff spot in the National League.

Lovullo said his concern for Moreno moving forward was “minimal,” and Moreno was in the lineup Saturday as the designated hitter.

“I think he has gutted out a lot this year,” Lovullo said. “I know that he is hungry to continue having a great season and help us win games. I think he is going to be in the lineup in some capacity.”

Moreno is batting .311, in the lead for the National League batting title. The Diamondbacks need him in that third spot of the batting order, so his status moving forward is critical to their chances to complete their unlikely playoff push.

“I’m gonna see how I feel tomorrow, but definitely I will play,” Moreno said postgame. “I want to do whatever possibly I can to be out there on the field.”

Moreno played through hamstring troubles earlier this season to keep his bat in the lineup, and he said this has a similar feeling.

James McCann and Del Castillo give the Diamondbacks two catchers for as long as Moreno is limited to only appearing as a designated hitter.

Outfielder Jesus Sanchez was designated for assignment to make room for Del Castillo. Sanchez was brought on as a left-handed bat intended to boost the offense against right-handed pitchers, but he could only muster two hits across 15 at-bats (six games).

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