Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch last week suffered a complete tear of the ACL in his right knee, a medical examination on Monday determined, and later this week will undergo surgery.
"I knew the possibility was there for season-ending but it's rough," Gosewisch said after the D-backs' 8-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday. "Not much I can do about it now.
"I was out on the field trying to make a play, that's all I ever try to do. It's just one of those things where you land funny and it doesn't go your way."
The recovery could take from six to eight months, and Gosewisch will focus on returning healthy for next season.
"It's awful, it's sad," said Arizona manager Chip Hale. "He did a great job of getting our staff better. Now he's lost, running to first, busting his butt to run the ball out and hit the bag funny. It just stinks for him."
Arizona now moves forward in what has already been a turnstyle at catcher through the first third of the season. Hale made it clear Jarrod Saltalamacchia will take over the regular catching duties, and it's likely he does so for the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old Saltalamacchia, known for his bat, struggled in nine games with the Miami Marlins at the beginning of the year and was released. Now, he's learning the Arizona pitching staff on the fly.
"The hard thing for Salty right now is the poor guy is like dropping a guy in a parachute right in the middle of an island," Hale said. "Tuffy worked with them all spring. We're trying to get Salty up to speed. He's doing a great job for us back there. It's tough."
Jordan Pacheco, who can play as an infielder as well, has been used as a backup catcher and pinch hitting option, but the D-backs' options have been limited because of injury.
The team lost Rule 5 draft pick Oscar Hernandez early in spring training to a hamate bone break, and veteran Gerald Laird was placed on the disabled list early on this season with back issues.
The depth all the way to the minor leagues took another hit this week when prospect Peter O'Brien decided to devote his attention to becoming a full-time outfielder.
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