Laird scratched with tight back, could be headed to DL

PHOENIX -- D-backs catcher Gerald Laird was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Dodgers because of a back issue and could be headed to the disabled list.

On Friday, D-backs manager Chip Hale shared his plan for Laird to catch rookie right-handed pitcher Archie Bradley in his Major League debut Saturday. A day later, the manager said he does not know when Laird will be able to return to the field. Tuffy Gosewisch took Laird's place in Saturday's lineup.

"Backs are funny. When they get tightened up, you never know when they are going to loosen," Hale said. "We'll see how he feels after the game and make a decision on where we are with our roster. Right now, he's still active. When you are playing with 25 players, you need to have 25 players. If he's not going to be available for five or six days, we are probably going to have to do something."

Laird, 35, who has dealt with back spasms in the past, did not experience any back issues during Spring Training, Hale said. The catcher's back tightened up after an at-bat against the Giants in the fourth inning Wednesday.

Laird, who is in his 13th season in the Major Leagues, signed with the D-backs as a Minor League free agent on Feb. 2.

"It just tightened up. [Friday], he felt pretty good and we thought he would be able to catch today and we put him in there knowing that this was a possibility," Hale said. "It's not right to put him in there, No. 1, and Tuffy feels good, so he is ready to go."

Hale said the club could add a pitcher, another catcher or bench player if Laird is placed on the DL. Jordan Pacheco will serve as Gosewisch's primary backup in Laird's absence.