D-backs face Astros on July 21, 2025, without Ketel Marte & Gabriel Moreno. Can Eugenio Suarez's power & new call-ups keep their win streak alive?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Arizona Diamondbacks are riding high on a four-game winning streak, finally clawing their way back to .500. But as the formidable Houston Astros arrive at Chase Field tonight, the Snakes will have to battle without some of their biggest stars, thanks to a whirlwind of roster moves that have tested the team's depth and resolve.
Eugenio Suarez leads the Diamondbacks with a monstrous 35 home runs and 85 RBIs, providing the thunder the team desperately needs amidst the lineup changes.
The biggest news dropped over the weekend as the team made a flurry of moves. All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte was placed on the restricted list for personal days after a deeply unsettling burglary at his home during the All-Star break. In another major blow, catcher Gabriel Moreno was transferred to the 60-day injured list with a fractured hand, officially sidelining him for an extended period. To fill the gaps, the D-backs signed infielder Sergio Alcantara and called up promising young catcher Adrian Del Castillo from Triple-A Reno.
With two key bats out, the D-backs are turning to their farm system. Catcher Adrian Del Castillo, 25, gets his shot after tearing up Triple-A, slashing .288/.386/.559 with a .945 OPS. He'll be tasked with handling the pitching staff while trying to bring his hot bat to the bigs. The team also called up reliever Trevor Richards to bolster the bullpen. These moves, along with optioning Tristin English back to Reno and signing RHP Dan Kubiuk to a minor league deal, show a front office scrambling to keep the ship steady.
Despite the off-field turmoil, a huge series awaits on the field. The 50-50 Diamondbacks host the AL West-leading Houston Astros (57-42) for a three-game set. Arizona will lean heavily on Eugenio Suarez (35 HR, 85 RBI) and Josh Naylor (.292 AVG) to generate offense. They'll face a tough Houston lineup featuring Isaac Paredes (19 HR) and the slick-hitting Jeremy Pena (.322 AVG). This series will be a true test of the team's resilience and a chance for new faces to prove their mettle on a big stage.
This three-game set against the Astros is more than just another series; it's a gut check. With key players sidelined, the Diamondbacks' depth and resilience will be tested like never before. How the new faces perform and whether the offense, led by the powerful Eugenio Suarez, can carry the load will tell us a lot about what this .500 club is truly made of as the trade deadline looms.
