Carlos

Santana

Santana suffered the strain during Sunday’s game against Atlanta, and he’ll now miss at least a week-plus with the ailment. Luken Baker will replace Santana on the roster, and likely see some time at first base against left-handed pitching.

Santana was pulled from Sunday’s game versus Atlanta with tightness in his groin, and the 39-year-old will miss at least one more game. It’ll be Ildemaro Vargas handling first base with Santana out.

Santana went 1-for-1 before leaving the game. The 39-year-old will likely undergo imaging to determine if there’s an structural damage. Ildemaro Vargas has replaced Santana in the lineup.

It’s notable that Fernandez is getting an opportunity at the cold corner with veteran Carlos Santana off to a frigid .043 (1-for-23) start through seven games. The 22-year-old rookie has gone 3-for-9 with two homers and four RBI through three games since being called up earlier this week.

The Diamondbacks do not believe the injury to be serious and he’s considered day-to-day. Tim Tawa will take his place in the lineup as the Diamondbacks’ designated hitter and will bat ninth while Carlos Santana moves up to sixth and Jordan Lawlar moves up to seventh.

While Lourdes Gurriel is sidelined, the 23-year-old will have a chance to see regular at-bats for the Diamondbacks — essentially battling Alek Thomas to see who sticks in the lineup upon Gurriel’s return. Here’s the full lineup that the Diamondbacks will use against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers on Friday evening in Los Angeles: Ketel Marte (2B), Corbin Carroll (RF), Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Gabriel Moreno (C), Pavin Smith (DH), Nolan Arenado (3B), Carlos Santana (1B), Alex Thomas (CF) and Jordan Lawlar (LF).

The deal which was agreed to last week, is official now that Santana has passed his physical. The 39-year-old hit just .219/.308/.325 with 11 homers and seven stolen bases during his time with the Guardians and Cubs in 2025, so it’s difficult to envision a career renaissance in 2026. He’ll share time at first base and designated hitter with Pavin Smith and Tyler Locklear.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Santana will make $2 million, and that the deal is pending a physical. Santana hit .219/.308/.325 with 11 homers and seven steals in his time with the Guardians and Cubs in 2025. The 39-year-old will see playing time assuredly, but could be part of a first base/DH platoon with Pavin Smith and Tyler Locklear.

Interest between the two teams was reported over the weekend, but it seems that the two sides are coming closer to an agreement. Santana hit just .219/.308/.325 with 11 homers, 54 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 474 plate appearances between the Guardians and Cubs in 2025. If this deal does come to fruition, he’ll be given a chance to battle Pavin Smith and Adrian Del Castillo for starting reps at either first base or designated hitter.

Gambadoro is quick to note that there’s no deal close between the two sides and that the Diamondbacks are interested in other first baseman as well. It seems like they’re not content to enter the season with Pavin Smith as the unquestioned starter at the position. Santana, who will turn 40 in April, slashed a meager .219/.308/.325 with 11 homers, 54 RBI and seven stolen bases in 474 plate appearances between the Guardians and Cubs in 2025.