Garcia arrives in clubhouse, provides D-backs with catching depth
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BALTIMORE -- After some precautionary measures, catcher Aramis Garcia finally arrived at the Diamondbacks clubhouse on Tuesday in Baltimore as the club placed catcher Gabriel Moreno (left oblique strain) on the 10-day injured list.
The holdup, it turned out, had been an illness plaguing Garcia and several of his Minor League teammates.
“There was a chance he could’ve been here sooner,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “We weren’t sure how he was feeling. I know that they have a nasty virus going through the Reno clubhouse that tore through our clubhouse last year. … It’s real, so we wanted to make sure as he walks in here that he didn’t bring it in with him.”
Garcia arrived wearing a disposable facemask, but was available, Lovullo said. He gives the Diamondbacks another full-time catcher alongside Brian McCann and allows Adrian Del Castillo to serve primarily as a DH. Castillo has caught twice this season in five games since joining the club last week.
“It gets a little dicey when your designated hitter is the backup catcher,” Lovullo said. “It’s just nice to have that third catcher where you can free up Del to be a DH.”
To make room on the 40-man roster, Arizona transferred infielder Pavin Smith (left elbow inflammation) to the 60-day IL.
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Moreno’s IL stint is retroactive to Saturday. Oblique strains come with tricky recovery timelines, but Lovullo was hopeful Moreno shortened his by reporting his discomfort early.
“I want to believe sooner than later,” the manager said. “I’m glad that he spoke up when he did. … These are the things that you can continue to damage, and next thing you know, you’re out a month. We think it’s going to be a couple of weeks hopefully, if not sooner. But he’s feeling very, very good.”
Arizona also officially activated right-hander Merrill Kelly from the 15-day IL ahead of his 2026 debut start, scheduled for Tuesday’s middle game against the Orioles.
His return has pushed righty Brandon Pfaadt to the bullpen, a role the 27-year-old said he hasn’t inhabited since his sophomore year at Bellarmine University.
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“Any opportunity to be up here and help the team win, I’m up for it,” Pfaadt said. “We have four guys throwing the crap out of the ball right now, and one of the most consistent starters coming and throwing today. So any way to help the team, any opportunity to go in and help the team win, I’m in for it.”
Pfadt (5.94 ERA, 16 2/3 IP) last pitched on Saturday in Philadelphia.