Gabriel Moreno was out of Arizona’s lineup for Sunday’s regular-season finale in San Diego, a late change that left the Diamondbacks without one of their hottest bats while their postseason hopes remained alive.
Moreno sidelined before the finale
- Moreno exited Friday’s game in the seventh inning after experiencing discomfort in his left hamstring. Manager Torey Lovullo described the hamstring as “tender.”
- Arizona initially listed Moreno as its designated hitter for Sunday’s game against the Padres.
- About an hour before first pitch, the D-backs scratched Moreno and inserted Pavin Smith into the lineup.
The timing was rough for a club still chasing the National League’s final Wild Card berth. Arizona needed to beat San Diego on Sunday and needed the Rays to defeat the Phillies to claim that last postseason spot.
A batting-title race with a catcher at the center
Moreno’s absence also carried weight in the National League batting race. He entered the day at .311, leading the league by one point over Philadelphia’s Luis Arraez, who was batting .310.
Arraez was not expected to play again in the regular season after injuring his ankle Thursday, leaving Moreno in position to finish atop the league despite missing the finale.
If Moreno holds the lead, he would become the first catcher to win an NL batting title since Buster Posey captured it with the Giants in 2012. For Arizona, that pursuit has run alongside a strong second half in which Moreno became a central piece of the club’s offense.
