Dodgers News: Top Prospect Diego Cartaya Exits Game with Apparent Hand Injury
The Dodgers have been to enjoy a long run of success thanks to a strong farm system supplementing their big league talent. Currently, their top prospect is catcher Diego Cartaya who many scouts believe could one day be an everyday catcher in the bigs. Unfortunately, Cartaya ran into some bad luck on Sunday.
The Venezuelan catcher was removed in the fifth inning with an apparent wrist or hand injury during the Great Lakes Loons (High-A) game against the Dayton Dragons. SB Nation’s Eric Stephen was one of the first to report the development.
Diego Cartaya just left the High-A Great Lakes Loons game during the top of the fifth inning. Was replaced behind the plate mid-AB. Unclear what the issue was
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 3, 2022
Through Sunday, Cartaya owned a 1.035 OPS with the Loons after being promoted from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Low-A).
Its especially disappointing news for Cartaya considering that he battled injuries throughout his first two minor leagues seasons. The catcher totaled just 80 games between his first two seasons.
FanGraphs noted Cartaya’s high ceiling in their scouting report of the Dodgers top prospect, but didn’t shy away from concerns about his injury history.
“Cartaya only suited up for 31 games in 2021 due to multiple back injuries and a strained hamstring. When healthy, he hit 10 homers in those 31 games and his receiving was better than it had been the two years before. While the recurring injuries are somewhat worrying.”
In 55 starts in the minors this year, the backstop owns a .895 OPS in 268 plate appearances. At this time, it’s unknown exactly what the injury is and when he’s expected to return.
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