Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Gabriel Moreno’s absence from the starting lineup is simply a scheduled rest day, according to Alex D’Agostino of the Diamondbacks on SI.
Moreno has been having a great 2026 season at the plate, batting .303 with 10 home runs, 65 RBIs, 56 runs and an .845 OPS in 104 games, the best offensive output of his career. The 25-year-old catcher started in Tuesday’s 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs and finished with a double and an RBI, part of a stretch in which he has reached base in 27 straight games this season.
Moreno will be available off the bench to pinch-hit if the Diamondbacks need him at any point on Wednesday.
Catchers routinely get rest days across a 162-game season, and Moreno has caught the bulk of Arizona’s games behind the plate in 2026, while also handling designated hitter duty on occasion. Moreno’s strong showing at the plate offers flexibility to keep his everyday catcher fresh without pulling him out of the lineup entirely.
Wednesday’s game wraps up a three-game series against the Cubs at Chase Field, with the Diamondbacks looking to take the rubber match after splitting the first two.
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The Diamondbacks, who hold a 70-63 record, are chasing the San Diego Padres for the final National League Wild Card spot, just one game behind. That alone is another good reason for Lovullo to offer Moreno the day off, to help the club get its best chances at playing in October.
