PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks will send catcher Gabriel Moreno, first baseman Pavin Smith and infielder Ildemaro Vargas on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, manager Torey Lovullo said on Sunday.
The trio is unlikely to return during the club’s upcoming seven-game road trip which starts on Monday, but there appears to be optimism they will be back at some point during the following homestand which starts on Aug. 18 against Cleveland.
Moreno was placed on the injured list on June 8 with a fractured right index finger, while Smith has dealt with an oblique strain (IL since July 6). Vargas broke his foot on a hit-by-pitch at the Chicago White Sox and went on the IL on June 25.
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“Real good news that they’re on that level, that they’re gonna start playing games and hopefully get back in there at full speed and returned to us as soon as possible,” Lovullo said.
Their impending returns will create some roster decisions, as Moreno will return to starting behind the plate.
James McCann and Jose Herrera have shared playing time at catcher with Adrian Del Castillo spending most of his time as a designated hitter. Lovullo said Del Castillo will get some opportunities behind the plate.
Torey Lovullo said Gabriel Moreno, Pavin Smith and Ildemaro Vargas will go on a rehab assignment on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/4AwjDLWsVA
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) August 10, 2025
McCann, a 35-year-old veteran, joined the team midseason and entered Sunday with a .730 OPS. Herrera has been with the organization for nearly a decade but has always been a light hitter with a .536 OPS this year.
Herrera, 28, has team control until 2029, while McCann will be a free agent after the season. Neither have minor league options.
Smith had been starting primarily at DH against righties, a role Del Castillo has slotted into. Josh Naylor was the near-everyday first baseman when Smith went on the IL, and now rookie Tyler Locklear has taken that mantle.
Lovullo has said both Smith and Locklear will play when available. Does that squeeze out Del Castillo? Perhaps it depends on how he continues to swing the bat, as he snapped an 0-for-14 streak with an RBI double on Saturday.
“ I’ve always said that when you’re having tough decisions, it means you’re a good baseball team and you gotta make decisions on good players,” Lovullo said. “There’s gonna be some tough conversations moving forward here.”
Vargas has played all over the diamond and profiles as the backup shortstop when healthy, a role currently filled by Connor Kaiser.
Diamondbacks Sunday notes
Cristian Mena could return
Right-handed pitcher Cristian Mena is throwing out to 90 feet, and Lovullo said on Saturday that a return before the end of the season is possible. The 22-year-old was placed on the injured list on June 10 with a teres major strain.
“Continue building up the arm strength, throwing program,” Lovullo said. “Now it’s just the buildup. The plan could be to have him back before the season. … We got a few things we need to get to before that happens, but we feel like there’s enough time for him to heal, throw bullpens, throw some lives, get into some rehab games and then hopefully get back here.”
Diamondbacks Nike RBI team wins World Series
The Diamondbacks’ Nike RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) senior baseball team won the World Series over Indiana on a walk-off wild pitch on Friday. The D-backs went 10-0 in the tournament to win their first championship.
“Congrats to our D-backs RBI senior baseball team walking off that huge win yesterday,” Lovullo said. “We were all excited for them. … We’re really proud of them.”
THE WALK-OFF RUN THAT SECURED THE 2025 NIKE RBI WORLD SERIES FOR ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NIKE RBI ??@nikediamond pic.twitter.com/y912D98c99
— MLBRBI (@MLBRBI) August 9, 2025
Corbin Carroll surprised the team, comprised of Arizona high schoolers, with new gear and a message before they headed out for the tournament.
Minor leaguer to watch
Diamondbacks 2024 third-round pick Daniel Eagen won the Northwest League Pitcher of the Month for July in High-A Hillsboro, and he followed that honor with six no-hit, shutout innings with 10 strikeouts on Friday.
With a 2.68 ERA in 18 starts, it would be hard to imagine a promotion isn’t coming soon.
Daniel Eagen spins 6 no-hit frames for the High-A @HillsboroHops for the second time this year!
The @Dbacks' 2024 third-rounder is up to 121 K's in 90 2/3 IP during his debut campaign: pic.twitter.com/67XYKp5VR0
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 8, 2025
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