Gabriel Moreno scratched with forearm tightness, undergoing imaging

SURPRISE — Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno was scratched from the lineup on Friday with right forearm tightness, manager Torey Lovullo said before first pitch against the Kansas City Royals in Cactus League.

Lovullo added that Moreno was undergoing imaging on Friday evening.

“We thought we would use some extra caution and get him off the field, let him rest up,” Lovullo said. “It’s something that’s been lingering for a couple days and we just want to knock it out and make sure we get to the bottom of how he’s feeling.”

First baseman Pavin Smith was also scratched with left forearm tightness, which Lovullo said happened while swinging. Smith is expected to be down for a couple of days, but there were no immediate plans for imaging.

Lovullo said Moreno has not felt the tightness while hitting and “barely” feels it while throwing. Moreno started as the designated hitter on Thursday and last caught in a game on Monday.

When asked about the possibility of these tightness issues lingering closer to Opening Day, Lovullo said, “I don’t know that answer. I hope not.”

Moreno, the club’s starting catcher, has missed time due to injuries in each of his first three seasons in Arizona for various ailments (shoulder, groin, thumb, wrist). The D-backs brought back veteran catcher James McCann, while fellow backup Adrian Del Castillo is expected to start the year on the injured list with a calf issue.

This is a developing story.

Corbin Burnes update

Diamondbacks starter Corbin Burnes threw a 16- or 17-pitch short box bullpen on Friday, Lovullo said. A short box is when the catcher sets up ahead of the plate, so it’s not as high intensity as a regular bullpen. That will be the next step in Burnes’ progression as he eyes a midseason return from Tommy John surgery.

“He said he felt really good, ball was coming out of his hand well,” Lovullo said. 

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