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Arizona Diamondbacks Reinstate Veteran Catcher James McCann, Option Adrian Del Castillo
The Arizona Diamondbacks activated catcher James McCann from the 10‑day injured list on Monday, creating a roster spot that the club filled by optioning catcher Adrian Del Castillo to Triple‑A Reno.
McCann, who was sidelined with a strained right quad after a May 18 game, returned to the active roster after completing three rehab games with the Reno Aces. The 36‑year‑old has appeared in 21 games for the D‑backs this season, posting a .203 batting average, a .217 on‑base percentage and a .254 slugging percentage before the injury.
The move gives the Diamondbacks a veteran presence behind the plate. McCann will share catching duties with Gabriel Moreno, who has been a reliable backup for Arizona since 2022. The team’s pitching staff has experienced a number of changes this year, and the addition of a seasoned catcher is intended to provide stability.
Del Castillo, 26, has appeared in 120 games for the D‑backs over the past three seasons. In 51 games this year, he has batted .185, struck out 48 times, walked 12 times and recorded nine extra‑base hits. According to the team’s statistical record, this is the catcher’s lowest batting line in his major‑league career.
Arizona’s decision to option Del Castillo follows a broader effort to improve performance before the MLB All‑Star break. The D‑backs are currently in the middle of a 10‑game homestand that will conclude on July 6, after which the club will head on a seven‑game road trip. The All‑Star Game is scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia.
The roster move is part of a series of adjustments the Diamondbacks have made in recent weeks. Earlier in the season, the club placed McCann on the injured list after a quad strain, and the organization had to shuffle its catching depth chart. The option to Reno is a standard roster‑management decision that allows the team to keep a player on the 40‑man roster while giving him playing time in the minors.
McCann’s return is expected to help the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff, which has struggled to find consistency. The club’s front office has emphasized the importance of a reliable catcher in guiding the pitching rotation and managing the bullpen.
The D‑backs’ overall record for the 2026 season remains below .500, and the team is looking to make a push for a playoff spot. The addition of McCann, who has caught two no‑hitter games in his career, is seen as a low‑risk move that could improve the team’s offensive output from the back of the order.
The club’s front office did not release a statement about the specific impact McCann is expected to have, but the move is consistent with the organization’s strategy of balancing veteran leadership with developing talent.
As the season progresses, the Diamondbacks will continue to evaluate their roster. The team’s next series of games will test the effectiveness of the new catching arrangement and the overall health of the pitching staff.
In summary, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reinstated James McCann from the injured list and optioned Adrian Del Castillo to Triple‑A Reno. The move is part of the club’s effort to stabilize its catching depth and improve pitching performance ahead of the All‑Star break. The D‑backs will look to the remainder of the season to determine whether this adjustment helps them move closer to a playoff berth.
McCann, who was sidelined with a strained right quad after a May 18 game, returned to the active roster after completing three rehab games with the Reno Aces. The 36‑year‑old has appeared in 21 games for the D‑backs this season, posting a .203 batting average, a .217 on‑base percentage and a .254 slugging percentage before the injury.
The move gives the Diamondbacks a veteran presence behind the plate. McCann will share catching duties with Gabriel Moreno, who has been a reliable backup for Arizona since 2022. The team’s pitching staff has experienced a number of changes this year, and the addition of a seasoned catcher is intended to provide stability.
Del Castillo, 26, has appeared in 120 games for the D‑backs over the past three seasons. In 51 games this year, he has batted .185, struck out 48 times, walked 12 times and recorded nine extra‑base hits. According to the team’s statistical record, this is the catcher’s lowest batting line in his major‑league career.
Arizona’s decision to option Del Castillo follows a broader effort to improve performance before the MLB All‑Star break. The D‑backs are currently in the middle of a 10‑game homestand that will conclude on July 6, after which the club will head on a seven‑game road trip. The All‑Star Game is scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia.
The roster move is part of a series of adjustments the Diamondbacks have made in recent weeks. Earlier in the season, the club placed McCann on the injured list after a quad strain, and the organization had to shuffle its catching depth chart. The option to Reno is a standard roster‑management decision that allows the team to keep a player on the 40‑man roster while giving him playing time in the minors.
McCann’s return is expected to help the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff, which has struggled to find consistency. The club’s front office has emphasized the importance of a reliable catcher in guiding the pitching rotation and managing the bullpen.
The D‑backs’ overall record for the 2026 season remains below .500, and the team is looking to make a push for a playoff spot. The addition of McCann, who has caught two no‑hitter games in his career, is seen as a low‑risk move that could improve the team’s offensive output from the back of the order.
The club’s front office did not release a statement about the specific impact McCann is expected to have, but the move is consistent with the organization’s strategy of balancing veteran leadership with developing talent.
As the season progresses, the Diamondbacks will continue to evaluate their roster. The team’s next series of games will test the effectiveness of the new catching arrangement and the overall health of the pitching staff.
In summary, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reinstated James McCann from the injured list and optioned Adrian Del Castillo to Triple‑A Reno. The move is part of the club’s effort to stabilize its catching depth and improve pitching performance ahead of the All‑Star break. The D‑backs will look to the remainder of the season to determine whether this adjustment helps them move closer to a playoff berth.
