The Arizona Diamondbacks have activated veteran catcher James McCann from the 10-day injured list, the team announced Monday, marking an earlier-than-anticipated return from a right quad strain that sidelined him since May 19. In a corresponding roster move, Arizona optioned catcher and left-handed designated-hitter option Adrian Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno to open a spot on the 26-man roster for McCann’s return. Because McCann was placed on the 10-day injured list rather than the 60-day IL, no move on the 40-man roster was necessary for his reinstatement.
McCann’s return comes with tempered expectations offensively this season. The 36-year-old entered the year with a limited sample of 62 plate appearances in which he slashed .203 with a .471 OPS. That production falls short of the numbers he posted after joining Arizona in mid-2025, when he finished with a .260/.324/.431 slash line. While his bat has been inconsistent in the early portion of this campaign, Arizona’s decision to bring McCann back underscores the team’s emphasis on depth and experience behind the plate.
James McCann with his catcher's mask pushed up on his head, watching the action during an Arizona Diamondbacks game at Chase Field — his timely return boosts the D-backs' catching depth.
Beyond offensive numbers, McCann’s value has been framed largely in intangible terms by the organization. He is regarded as a steady clubhouse presence and a veteran mentor for younger players, attributes the club has leaned on since his arrival. More concretely, McCann has been credited with building strong rapport with Arizona’s pitching staff and helping to elevate the performance of certain starters. The relationship between McCann and Zac Gallen was highlighted last season as an example: Gallen appeared to thrive when throwing to McCann, a dynamic the Diamondbacks will likely hope to rekindle given Gallen’s current struggles.
Gallen has endured a difficult stretch this season, carrying a 6.36 ERA through the early months, and Arizona’s staff could use the stabilizing influence McCann has provided in the past. While McCann is not being called on to single-handedly right a pitching staff, his familiarity with pitchers and game-calling experience give him a role beyond plate appearances. That experience is particularly relevant with Gabriel Moreno available in the catching mix; Moreno offers the best offensive and defensive profile among Arizona’s catchers but has had durability concerns in the past.
McCann in full catching gear with mask atop his helmet during a game, underscoring his defensive presence as he rejoins Arizona's catcher group.
Moreno’s presence as the club’s primary offensive and defensive catcher is not in dispute, but his history of injuries has prompted Arizona to consider workload management options. McCann’s availability allows the Diamondbacks to give Moreno more off-days behind the plate or to use him as a designated hitter more frequently, thereby preserving Moreno’s durability and keeping his bat in the lineup without wearing down his body. That type of rotation between Moreno and McCann was explicitly noted as a possible benefit of McCann’s return, giving the club more flexibility in lineup construction and pitcher-catcher pairings.
McCann’s path back to the majors was brief on the field prior to Monday’s activation. He logged three rehab game appearances after his layoff and went 0-for-12 in those outings. The club has experienced a pattern this season of players returning quickly from injury and then facing an adjustment period due to limited rehab reps, and McCann’s short slate of game action is consistent with that trend. Arizona has not signaled that it expects McCann to provide a sustained offensive boost immediately; instead, the emphasis appears to be on his role as a veteran catcher who can stabilize the position defensively and work with the pitching staff.
With Del Castillo now optioned to Triple-A Reno, Arizona has rotated the catching depth chart to accommodate McCann’s return. Del Castillo, who had served as a left-handed DH option as well as a catcher, will take his assignment to Reno while McCann resumes big-league duties. The move preserves roster flexibility for the Diamondbacks and restores an experienced veteran to a club that has navigated injuries and inconsistent performances behind the plate this season.
As McCann rejoins the major-league club, the Diamondbacks will have another experienced option to deploy in the catching role alongside Moreno. His return changes the dynamics of how the club can manage catcher workloads and pairings with the pitching staff, while also providing a familiar presence in the clubhouse. The team’s hope will be that McCann’s game-calling and rapport with pitchers can contribute positively as Arizona navigates the stretch of the season ahead. Monitoring his offensive rebound and how quickly he settles back into game action will be part of evaluating the immediate impact of his activation.
The team announced McCann was reinstated and Del Castillo was optioned on Monday, July 6, 2026, with McCann taking a 26-man roster spot upon his activation.
McCann began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple‑A Reno on July 2, 2026, making three rehab appearances before being activated.
Adrian Del Castillo had appeared in 51 big-league games this season, hitting.185 with five home runs and 23 RBIs; he homered for Arizona on July 5, 2026, before being sent down.
Gabriel Moreno was placed on the 10‑day injured list retroactive to April 11, 2026 (officially announced April 14) for a strained left oblique and was activated from the 10‑day IL on May 1, 2026.