SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks catcher and designated hitter Adrian Del Castillo is dealing with a left calf injury that could keep him out through Opening Day.
Manager Torey Lovullo said on Monday that Del Castillo will be out for most of spring training, and the club will reassess him closer to the start of the regular season.
“He’s doing things where he can, he’s getting on his knees and throwing but not really stressing that left calf at all,” Lovullo said.
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When asked about Del Castillo missing Opening Day, Lovullo said “I would think so.”
Opening Day is on March 26, as the D-backs will visit the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Del Castillo is a 26-year-old, left-handed-hitting catcher who made a loud first impression in 2024 by hitting .313 with an .893 OPS in 25 games. Injuries limited him to 72 games total between the majors and minors last season, and his offensive production dipped to a .682 OPS with a sky-high 35% strikeout rate.
Del Castillo enters 2026 with the clearest path to earn at-bats as a DH, as he is likely third on the depth chart for catchers behind Gabriel Moreno and James McCann.
With Corbin Carroll and Del Castillo questionable for Opening Day and with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. out when the season starts, the Diamondbacks are going to have to figure out what to do with their DH spot to fill out a lineup early on.
Ketel Marte will start at DH periodically to get off his feet defensively. Pavin Smith and Carlos Santana’s playing time at first base will play a factor. Beyond that, there are opportunities for others to compete for at-bats.
“Probably could be a little bit creative,” Lovullo said of the DH role. “I think you’re looking at Pavin, Santana when he needs a little bit of a blow, Ketel. And then beyond that, I don’t know. We’re gonna look for people to emerge.”
Diamondbacks 1B Tyler Locklear out until May or June
Diamondbacks first baseman Tyler Locklear will not be a candidate for such at-bats come Opening Day, as he continues to rehab after surgeries on his left shoulder and elbow.
Locklear suffered the injuries on a collision at first base late last season, and Lovullo said the timetable for his return is likely mid-May or even June.
“Just keep progressing,” the 25-year-old Locklear told Arizona Sports is the goal.
“Next week, start to swing off the tee a little bit I think is what they said. So I’ve been throwing and just trying to progress as much as possible week by week.”
Locklear came to Arizona from Seattle in the Eugenio Suarez trade, and he had trouble in his first opportunity as an everyday first baseman. He hit .175 and three home runs in 31 games with the Diamondbacks before ending his season on the injured list.
The D-backs brought in Santana this offseason for first base depth alongside Smith.
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