Rod

Barajas

Barajas could return to splitting time with Chad Moeller by the end of the month.

Barajas usually catches Elmer Dessens, but Chad Moeller worked with him yesterday.

He missed last night’s game due to back spasms.

He does not believe in taking a day game after a night game off. Gerald Laird will have to wait until next season to battle Barajas for the number one catcher’s job in Texas. Hopefully by then Laird’s thumb tendon will have healed properly.

Barajas is eligible to return from the DL April 23. He thinks he can beat the original three-week forecast. Chad Moeller has been impressive in his absence, hitting .346 with a 986 OPS. Still, the two catchers will likely resume job sharing when Barajas returns.

Barajas wanted more money, so it’s now more likely that the two sides will eventually come to terms on a one-year deal.

Barajas, on the DL with a strained hamstring, is eligible to be activated on Tuesday, but it looks like he won’t rejoin the Diamondbacks until later in the week.

While Barajas has been out, all Chad Moeller has done in 71 plate appearances is post a 934 OPS, second only to Luis Gonzalez among regulars on the team. Moeller is probably playing over his head, but he’s certainly earned the right to do most of the catching.

Barajas is expected to need four to five weeks to recover.