Moreno not in concussion protocol after being hit by backswing
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MILWAUKEE -- The D-backs are continuing to evaluate catcher Gabriel Moreno after a scary moment forced him to exit Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on Wednesday.
Moreno was struck on the top of his helmet on a backswing by Brewers second baseman Brice Turang in the second inning of the D-backs’ series-clinching 5-2 win.
“He’s still getting diagnosed right now,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “We're hopeful that he can avoid the concussion protocol. He has not entered the concussion protocol. We're still finding out what his status is right now.”
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Moreno appeared in good spirits after Arizona’s win.
"I was a little bit dizzy,” Moreno said. “But in the end, like when the game was done, I felt better. So that's good news, and I'm very happy about it."
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Lovullo and a trainer immediately went out to check on Moreno after he was struck and evaluated him for several minutes. After catching a few warmup pitches from starter Zac Gallen, Moreno stayed in the game for the remainder of the inning.
But Jose Herrera took over behind the plate in the bottom of the third, as Moreno was diagnosed with a head injury.
“He was talking about feeling a little dizzy immediately upon getting hit,” Lovullo said. “I felt like we needed to get out there and examine him. I wasn't gonna be satisfied until he caught some balls and felt like that dizziness had gone away -- which he said that it did. But once he got into the dugout, our team doctors examined him and said that he needs to come out of the lineup.”
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Moreno had a big impact in the D-backs’ Game 1 win over the Brewers on Tuesday. He hit a go-ahead solo homer in the fourth inning, becoming the second-youngest catcher to homer in his postseason debut.
The D-backs and Dodgers are set to play Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Saturday. If Arizona ultimately has to replace Moreno, Juan Centeno is on its catching depth chart. Seby Zavala joined the organization after Sept. 1, making him ineligible for the postseason roster.