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Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll Suffers Hamate Injury, Requires Surgery

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Corbin Carroll Sustains Hamate Injury, Expected to Miss Start of 2026 Season

Diamondbacks player Corbin Carroll has sustained a broken hamate bone in his right hand during batting practice, as reported by MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Carroll is scheduled to undergo surgery, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

This injury is expected to keep him off the field for a significant portion of spring training and likely place him on the injured list at the start of the 2026 season.

Carroll's Stellar Performance in 2025

Carroll, a standout player, was the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star. He finished sixth in National League MVP voting in 2025, underscoring his consistent elite performance.

During the 2025 season, Carroll posted an impressive .259/.343/.541 batting line across 642 plate appearances. His power numbers included 31 home runs, 32 doubles, and 17 triples. He also showcased his speed with 32 stolen bases (out of 38 attempts). His plate discipline was strong, with a 10.4% walk rate against a 23.8% strikeout rate. Carroll's baserunning value was the highest in baseball in 2025 by FanGraphs' BsR metric, and his wRC+ measured 139.

Hamate Injury Details and Recovery Outlook

A formal recovery timeline has not yet been released by the Diamondbacks, with more details anticipated post-surgery.

Hamate injuries are common and typically result in a four to eight-week absence for hitters.

These types of hand injuries can sometimes affect a player's power output, a potential concern given Carroll's recent offensive surge.

Diamondbacks' Outfield Dilemma Deepens

Carroll's probable injured list placement significantly impacts the Diamondbacks' already challenging outfield composition. Jake McCarthy was traded earlier in the winter, further reducing established options. Compounding the issue, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is also expected to begin the season on the injured list due to a torn ACL.

With these vacancies, top prospect Jordan Lawlar, who is transitioning to the outfield, is now likely to begin the season in an outfield role. Center fielder Alek Thomas has demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, but his offensive production has not yet met previous expectations. Blaze Alexander was traded to the Orioles recently, removing another potential option from the roster.

Internal Outfield Options

Outfield options on the current roster are limited, forcing the team to consider various internal adjustments and promotions.

  • Probable Starters: Lawlar and Thomas are the most probable starting outfielders given the current situation.

  • Temporary Corner Options: Pavin Smith, primarily a first baseman/designated hitter, has some experience in the outfield corners but has been graded as a poor defender. The recent signing of Carlos Santana was intended to provide a platoon partner for Smith at first base; however, Santana could play first base while Smith temporarily occupies an outfield corner.

  • Depth from the 40-man Roster: Jorge Barrosa is on the 40-man roster and out of minor league options. He holds a .148/.170/.239 batting line in 95 major league plate appearances and has a league-average track record at Triple-A. Infielder/outfielder Tim Tawa hit 31 Triple-A home runs in 2024 but posted a .201/.274/.347 line in 205 MLB plate appearances last season. He has more experience in the infield but has also played 1519 innings in the outfield professionally.

Prospect Watch: Ryan Waldschmidt

The Diamondbacks could consider promoting Ryan Waldschmidt, the No. 31 overall pick in 2024. Waldschmidt, 23, has not yet played in Triple-A but performed exceptionally well in High-A and Double-A last season.

In 601 combined plate appearances, he recorded a robust .289/.419/.473 slash line with 18 home runs, 27 doubles, four triples, and 29 stolen bases (out of 39 attempts). This was alongside an impressive 16% walk rate and a 17.6% strikeout rate. Baseball America ranks Waldschmidt as the No. 48 overall prospect, indicating his high potential.

Exploring External Avenues for Outfield Talent

External acquisition of outfield talent is another strong possibility for the Diamondbacks. Unsigned veterans such as Mike Tauchman, Mark Canha, and Randal Grichuk remain available in the market. The team may also monitor players who opt out of minor league contracts or are designated for assignment during spring training to add much-needed depth following Carroll's injury.