PHOENIX — D-backs fans, we have some good and bad news for you and, as it has all season for the defending National League champions, it revolves around injuries.
Let's start with the good.
Eduardo Rodriguez to make D-backs debut
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez will finally make his debut with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians, according to manager Torey Lovullo.
The D-backs signed "E-Rod" to a four-year, $80 million dollar contract this past offseason, and he was set to be the club's No. 3 starter before going down with a lat strain on March 22, less than a week before the D-backs opened the 2024 season.
Rodriguez has been on the injured list ever since, but will be activated on Tuesday and make his season debut.
Merrill Kelly to make rehab start
Sticking with the good news, RHP Merrill Kelly also looks like he will be re-joining the club soon and giving the D-backs a full starting rotation for the first time in 2024.
Kelly (2-0, 2.19 ERA) has been on the injured list since April 23 with a right shoulder strain and will now continue working his way back to the D-backs with his first rehab start, which will take place on Tuesday with the D-backs High-A affiliate, the Hillsboro Hops.
MLB.com reports that Kelly is scheduled to throw four innings and 65 pitchers in Tuesday's start.
It is not yet known when exactly Kelly will re-join the D-backs.
Gabriel Moreno injures groin
Now to the bad news. D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno left Monday's win over the Cleveland Guardians after appearing to injure his groin while running to first back in the second inning.
After the game, Lovullo said Moreno would travel back to Arizona to be evaluated and that the team expects Moreno to be on the injured list for "a little while."
With Moreno's injury, the D-backs will be down to just one catcher, Jose Herrea, on their roster, and a move to address that is expected.
Diamondbacks Injured List
Here's a look at all of the players currently on the D-backs injured list.
10-day/15-day injured list
- RHP Bryce Jarvis (Right elbow strain)
- 1B Christian Walker (Left oblique strain)
- LHP Blake Walston (Left elbow strain)
- SS Jordan Lawlar (Left hamstring strain)
60-day injured list
- RHP Merrill Kelly (Right shoulder strain)
- RHP Drey Jameson (Right elbow inflammation)
- LHP Kyle Nelson (Thoracic outlet surgery)
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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