Stevie Berman, one of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes two primary catchers, has been placed on the Injured List and is reportedly headed to Arizona to recover.

Per Quakes Director of Public Relations and longtime ‘Voice of the Quakes’ Mike Lindskog, the 24-year-old backstop suffered an injury to his left (non-throwing) wrist during last Saturday’s (May 18) game against the Modesto Nuts at LoanMart Field. The injury occurred when a pitch thrown by Quakes right-hander Gerardo Carrillo struck the Quakes catcher on his left wrist right where his catchers mitt ends. The pitch was ruled a wild pitch and was followed by a second one two batters later. This from Lindskog’s Game Notes following Tuesday’s game against the Visalia Rawhide:

“ROSTER MOVES: Earlier today, Rancho transferred C Stevie Berman to the Injured List, retroactive to May 19th. In response, C Ramon Rodriguez has been transferred to the Rancho roster from the Extended Spring Training roster.”

Although there has been no official confirmation from the Quakes, it was rumored that Berman may have actually sustained a fracture to his wrist, but again, this is pure speculation. The team is reportedly awaiting the results of medical examinations.

Ironically (and amazingly), Berman remained in the game after the injury and actually hit a double to leadoff the bottom of the second inning. He would come around to score on a consecutive double by Quakes newcomer, outfielder Eric Peterson. However, Berman remained in the dugout in the top of the third inning, having been replaced by catcher Connor Wong.

Berman has been up and down between Double-A Tulsa and Rancho Cucamonga this year, filling in as necessary whenever and wherever needed. 

The Mountain View, CA native has posted a .286 average while in Rancho this season over nine games. He also appeared in nine games in Tulsa, posting a .370 batting average. 

Berman spent the entire 2018 season at Rancho, but spent most of the first half of the season on the injured list. In total, he appeared in 33, games and finishing the season with a .302 batting average and earned a Cal League Championship ring. 

Unfortunately, Berman is not the only one to land on the Quakes injured list this season. Dodgers 15th-ranked prospect Jeren Kendall has been on the IL since April 19, while shortstop Deacon Liput went on it after the the second game of the 2019 season. 

The Quakes sit atop the Cal League south standings, even without the aid of Kendall, Liput, and now Berman, but having the team at full health could push them even further away from the rest of the south.