Carlos

Santana

The procedural move frees up a spot on Arizona’s 40-man roster to bring Pavin Smith back from the 60-day injured list. Santana is facing a lengthy absence after suffering another adductor strain while on a minor league rehab assignment back in mid-May.

Santana reinjured his shoulder over the weekend while on a minor league rehab assignment and won’t be returning to Arizona’s lineup anytime soon. The 40-year-old’s ongoing absence means even more job security for unexpected late-career breakout sensation Ildemaro Vargas at first base.

Santana has been out for close to a month with a strained right adductor. The 40-year-old veteran will likely need a handful of games or so before he will be an option again for the D-backs in the next week or so.

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.