D-backs’ Gabriel Moreno Out with Forearm Tightness, Undergoing Tests

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ latest injury update focuses on catcher Gabriel Moreno, who was scratched from Friday’s game with right forearm tightness. The team planned imaging that night to see what’s going on.

They also scratched Pavin Smith because of left forearm tightness, but he didn’t need testing right away. Moreno, who’s 26 and won a Gold Glove in 2023, started this season as Arizona’s main catcher.

Durability has been an issue for him lately. Here’s a closer look at what these scratches might mean for the D-backs and how their early-season lineup could shift.

Injury update and immediate timeline

Moreno’s late scratch came after manager Torey Lovullo said the forearm tightness had lingered for several days. Scheduling imaging that night shows just how cautious the club wants to be, considering how important Moreno is to their catching plan.

Lovullo said Moreno’s next steps would depend on the imaging results. Arizona’s counting on Moreno as their top catcher, which means he’s got a big defensive and game-calling role. The team will watch the prognosis and figure out adjustments if Moreno needs to miss more time.

Impact on Arizona’s catcher plan and lineup

With Moreno out, the Diamondbacks need to figure out who’s catching and how they’ll balance the lineup without their main guy behind the plate.

The team’s press notes highlight that Moreno has battled durability problems recently, missing a chunk of time over the past two seasons. In 2025, he played 83 games, hitting .285 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs. Those stats remind you why the D-backs value him so much when he’s healthy. The imaging results will decide if the club can stick to their plan or needs to shake things up to keep Moreno and their pitchers on track.

• Primary catcher role is still the goal for Moreno if he’s cleared, since he brings Gold Glove defense and leadership.
• Backup options and rotation will get tested now, as the team figures out how to handle the pitching staff while Moreno’s out.
• Pavin Smith’s duties matter more in the short term. He’s supposed to split duties between first base and DH, but that could change if the catching situation stays in flux.
• Lineup flexibility might increase, with Smith getting more time at 1B and DH while the team waits for Moreno’s imaging results.

Durability, expectations, and what comes next

People keep talking about Moreno’s durability because he’s missed a chunk of time over the last couple of seasons. The team will run some imaging and use those results to figure out both the short-term and long-term plan for Arizona’s catching depth.

Gold Glove defense behind the plate is a huge part of Moreno’s value when he’s available. The club’s got to weigh every option if they want to keep him healthy for the long run.

Pavin Smith’s role adds another wrinkle to all this. At 30, he’s still splitting time between first base and designated hitter duties, and he’s been a steady presence at the plate while the catching situation sorts itself out.

In 2025 he hit .258 with eight homers and 28 RBIs. That’s solid, but teams will want even more when Moreno returns.

Once the imaging results are in, the Diamondbacks will tweak their plan and hopefully share a timeline. Right now, Arizona seems optimistic about Moreno’s potential impact—if he’s healthy—but they’re cautious about when he’ll actually be back.

 
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