On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Diamondbacks announced that catcher Gabriel Moreno has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left thumb. Jose Herrera has been called up from Triple-A, and Herrera with team with Tucker Barnhart as Arizona’s catching combo until Moreno has recovered.
Moreno’s injury took place in Friday night’s game, as the backstop’s glove hand was hit by a Cristian Pache foul ball in the third inning. Moreno tried to stay in the game, but the discomfort eventually forced him to make an early exit in the sixth frame. Per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo told media after the game that X-rays were negative on Moreno’s thumb, so the catcher at least avoided a more serious structural injury that would’ve cost him more time or even possibly threatened his season.
Heralded as one of baseball’s top prospects during his time in the Blue Jays’ farm system, Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. were acquired by the D-Backs in exchange for Daulton Varsho during the 2022-23 offseason. Moreno’s first full season saw him win a Gold Glove, hit .284/.339/.408 in 380 plate appearances, and then excel in Arizona’s playoff run to the NL pennant, seemingly cementing his place as one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars.
However, the sophomore slump seems to have bitten Moreno in his follow-up campaign, as he has hit only .230/.313/.346 with three homers over 217 PA. A .261 BABIP hasn’t helped his efforts, but Moreno isn’t making much hard contact. On the plus side, his strikeout and walk rates are both well above average, and Moreno’s defense remains elite.
More must-reads:
- Gabriel Moreno injury situation presents huge problem for the Diamondbacks
- Diamondbacks stay hot, beat Phillies in NLCS rematch
- The '30 or more home runs in 2021' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Red Sox promote prospect who has incredible nickname
The Boston Red Sox are expected to call up a prospect who will quickly become known to fans because of his amazing nickname. Ian Browne of MLB.com reported on Thursday that the Red Sox have decided to promote outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, who is the No. 3 prospect in Boston's system. Garcia has yet to play in an MLB game, but many baseball fans are already familiar with the 22-year-old because he has one of the best nicknames of all time: "The Password." How did Garcia end up with that nickname? Because his first name, which is pronounced "JOES-tin-son," is incredibly difficult to spell. Garcia's first name features such a rare structure and combination of letters that it would make an incredibly strong computer password. The Red Sox signed Garcia out of Venezuela in 2019. They signed his brother, Johanfran Garcia, three years later. As Browne notes, Johanfran is the No. 28 prospect in Boston's system, and he also has a great nickname that plays off his brother's. Johanfran's nickname is "The Username." Jhostynxon Garcia has split time between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester this season. He has batted .303 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI in 66 Triple-A games.
Steelers have major injury concern leaving preseason
The No. 1 priority for NFL teams in the preseason is to get out of the games without major injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers may have failed with that one on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, the team's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had to be carted to the locker room with a knee injury while also looking visibly upset as he was taken back. The team announced almost immediately that he would be out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin provided an update after the game: Defensive line was a top priority for the Steelers this offseason, especially after their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens where they allowed nearly 300 rushing yards to end their season. Along with Harmon, they also selected Iowa's Yahya Black in this year's class to help try to beef up their line. Harmon is expected to play a major role in this year's defense and was already in a starting position. With star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward holding in as he tries to get a new contract from the team, that puts even more importance on Harmon's ability to make an impact. He has had a strong training camp, and after a quiet first preseason game, he really took a big leap forward in the team's second game, recording a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Heyward returns, and if Harmon's injury is not serious, the Steelers would have the potential to have a really strong defensive line with those two joining rising star Keeanu Benton. Right now, though, those are a lot of "ifs," especially as it relates to the availability for Heyward and Harmon for the team's season opener.
Green Bay Packers: Mike Macdonald’s First Message to Matt LaFleur After Mayhem-Marred Practice
Joint practices in the NFL can be really heated. Just take for example the one involving the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, with fights erupting on the field between players from both sides. Even though it’s just a practice session with nothing significant on the line, the competitive juices of players can get in the way and spark fiery moments on the field. If anything, at least no one appears to have been seriously hurt from the multiple altercations reported. However, Packers right tackle Zach Tom was reportedly tossed out of the field after throwing punches at a couple of Seahawks players. Despite all the chaos that transpired between the Packers and the Seahawks, Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald had great things to say about Green Bay. Seahawks head coach sends message to Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers Brady Henderson of ESPN noted that Macdonald started his session with the media after the practice, “by thanking Packers coach Matt LaFleur and the organization for hosting them.” In any case, Macdonald felt good overall about his players. “It’s hard to tell what happened, who said what,” Macdonald shared. “Look, you want your guys to defend their [teammates]. There’s a line. Whether we go past the line, I don’t think we did, which is good. Our guys stayed composed. But some of these things do tend to happen, and however it gets started … hopefully it’s not our guys, but people are going to react to a certain extent. I think our guys handled it pretty well.” The Packers and the Seahawks will still see each other on the field this offseason, as they are scheduled to play in their 2025 NFL preseason finale on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
Bill Belichick's trademark snark already showing in North Carolina's QB battle
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick doesn't want anybody to know anything about the way he does things. He's always been tight-lipped, and that's been especially true as it relates to prying questions from the media. Belichick's "we're onto Cincinnati" is an infamous line in the sports world, as is his disdain for allowing anybody to see how "the sausage is made." Perhaps, then, it's no surprise that Belichick's trademark snarkiness revealed itself in a Wednesday news conference for North Carolina. He was asked by a member of the media when he felt he'd be able to name the Tar Heels' starting quarterback for 2025, and the legendary head coach responded with sarcasm. “We’re getting ready to do that this afternoon — to announce the starting lineups and the play times and how we’ll be substituting everything,” Belichick joked, according to Chandler Vessels of On3. “So Brandon will get that to you as soon as we get done. We want to make sure we get that out there right away.” That's classic Belichick snark right there. North Carolina kicks off its 2025 campaign against TCU on Sept. 1, and Belichick doesn't want the Horned Frogs to have any time to prepare for who will be the starting quarterback. The Tar Heels will, of course, have to release a depth chart eventually, but you can bet that Belichick is going to slow-play his quarterback competition as long as possible. Max Johnson, son of former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson, and South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez are the two players in the running for the job. Johnson missed most of last season with a devastating leg injury he suffered in UNC's first game. He's had previous stops at LSU and Texas A M as a starter. Lopez threw for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns with five interceptions last season for South Alabama. He also rushed for 465 yards and seven touchdowns.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
