James

McCann

McCann returns to Arizona’s catching mix as starter Gabriel Moreno’s backup following a nearly seven-week absence recovering from a quad strain that put him on the injured list back in late May. He showed some signs of life in his Diamondbacks debut last year and should be able to stick around in a reserve role for now.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said McCann is likely to miss 4-6 weeks after suffering a quad strain during Monday’s series opener against the Giants. It’s less of an issue for Arizona with Gabriel Moreno back from the injured list than it would’ve been earlier this year when he was sidelined.

Aramis Garcia served as McCann’s backup while Gabriel Moreno was on the injured list. He could return now to back up Moreno.

Del Castillo suffered the injury while behind the plate. The 26-year-old was unable to continue and James McCann took over. Del Castillo may need a trip to the injured list, but his status should be updated in the coming days.

It turns out Moreno was dealing with an oblique strain when the Diamondbacks said he was dealing with lower back soreness. It’s a bit unclear how much time the 26-year-old backstop is going to miss, but oblique issues can be tricky matters. It’ll be James McCann and Adrian Del Castillo handling the catching duties in his absence.

The expectation had been that Moreno would be placed on the injured list on Sunday, and while that’s still possible, it has not happened yet. James McCann will start in his place behind the dish and will bat seventh for the Snakes on Sunday against Phillies’ right-hander Andrew Painter.

No exact word on the results of the MRI on Moreno’s back, but Lovullo said it’s a muscular issue and that it probably won’t result in a lengthy absence. James McCann will be the starting catcher in his place, with Adrian Del Castillo perhaps serving as his backup. Alternatively, the D-backs could add another catcher, probably Aramis Garcia. They don’t have any minor league position players currently on the 40-man roster as callup possibilities.

It will be Jorge Barrosa in right field and batting ninth for the Diamondbacks as they get their superstar a rest day on Thursday. Gabriel Moreno is also sitting this one out for Arizona, leaving Adrian Del Castillo and Jose Fernandez as the 4-5 hitters against Nolan McLean.

Moreno will take a break Saturday with James McMann getting the start behind the plate to catch Eduardo Rodriguez. Jordan Lawlar is also out of the lineup for Saturday’s contest with Jorge Barrosa starting in left.

McCann can earn another $500,000 in incentives. The 35-year-old will be the backup backstop to Gabriel Moreno in 2026.