Diamondbacks option Adrian Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno as Gabriel Moreno returns from IL

With Gabriel Moreno now off the IL and back with the Diamondbacks, rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo has been optioned to Triple-A Reno, the team announced on Monday before their series opener against the Colorado Rockies.

Del Castillo, Arizona’s second-round pick in the 2022 draft, had a red-hot start to his major league career. In his first three games, the 24-year-old picked up seven hits, drove in five runs, and hit a walk-off home run against the Phillies in just his second big league appearance.

While his early momentum cooled as the season progressed—his batting average dipped from .467 on August 13th to .273 by September 6th—Del Castillo showed flashes of heating up again. He will head to Triple-A riding a four-game hitting streak, which included three consecutive multi-hit games. In 25 games with the Diamondbacks, Del Castillo posted a .313 batting average, launching four home runs during his stint.

Despite his offensive contributions, Del Castillo struggled defensively. He allowed 27 out of 29 base stealers to advance successfully, a stark contrast to Moreno’s 31% caught-stealing rate, which the Diamondbacks will hope stabilizes their defense behind the plate as they push for a playoff berth.

In a corresponding roster move, the Diamondbacks recalled right-handed reliever Scott McGough from Triple-A Reno. McGough’s addition comes as the team places closer Paul Sewald on the 15-day IL due to neck discomfort. The 33-year-old McGough, who started the season with Arizona, was optioned in early May after posting a 6.84 ERA. He briefly returned in June but continued to struggle before being sent back to the minors. Most recently, McGough pitched on August 10th, delivering two shutout innings in his outing.

The three-game series against the Rockies begins Monday, with first pitch scheduled for 5:40 PM.