Another Day, Another Dbacks Player on the IL
By Jake Oliver
Jose Herrera next to go on the Injured List for the Diamondbacks, recall Grayson Greiner
In the past week or so, the Arizona Diamondbacks have seen Cooper Hummel, Kyle Nelson, Nick Ahmed, Keynan Middleton, and Carson Kelly all hit the Injured List for various ailments or injuries. OH, and Ketel Marte missed the past two games due to a sore left hand, though he's in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs. Now, the Diamondbacks have announced that Jose Herrera has been placed on the IL while the team selected the contract and recalled Catcher Grayson Greiner to take his place.
The fact that the Dbacks didn't mention an injury lends me to believe that this was the result of another positive Covid Test or at least that he is showing symptoms. Regardless, this does mean that the team will be without their switch-hitting rookie backup catcher for a week or more most likely.
Herrera has had a rough start to his MLB career both defensively and offensively. Over the 17 games he has played at catcher this year, he's recorded 4 errors with 2 passed balls, 7 SBs allowed, and -1 DRS. He has caught 4 runners on base, but that's the highlight to his defense.
As for his batting? He is hitting .125/.222/.150/.372 with an 11 OPS+, 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 double, and 2 RBI to go with his 5 walks to 13 Ks in 46 plate appearances so far. Those are awful numbers, even for a catcher. Hopefully, he can get a mental reset during this break so that the 25-year-old can get his hitting stroke figured out.
Grayson Greiner is a former Detroit Tigers catcher from 2018-to 2021 who has played in 137 games with 17 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 42 walks, and 153 Ks while batting .201/.274/.309/.583 and a 57 OPS+. Those numbers are more in-line with MLB catcher though they are still not great.
Greiner came to the Dbacks in the off-season on a MiLB player contract and has been with Triple-AAA Reno Aces or on the Dbacks taxi squad all season. In his 10 games with the Aces, Greiner has 13 hits, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 walks, 12 Ks, and hit .351/.429/.942. Those are not sustainable numbers. He won't be expected to do much except catching a day or two while the team gets Varsho off his knees.
Next. Diamondbacks acquire a new lefty reliever. dark
Greiner is set to make his debut with the Diamondbacks soon. Most likely this weekend versus the Cubs. Let's hope he can provide some juice to this lineup! Welcome to the team, Grayson!