Lead: Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand during batting practice and is scheduled for surgery today, multiple outlets report. The injury will sideline him for most of spring camp and makes it likely he begins the 2026 season on the injured list. Carroll, Arizona’s 2023 NL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, posted significant offensive and baserunning value in 2025. The club has not released a formal recovery timetable pending post-operative evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- Carroll sustained a fractured right hamate during batting practice and is slated for surgery today, according to reports from MLB.com and ESPN.
- He produced a .259/.343/.541 slash line in 2025 with 31 home runs, 32 doubles and 17 triples across 642 plate appearances.
- Carroll stole 32 bases in 38 attempts in 2025 and led MLB in baserunning value per FanGraphs’ BsR metric.
- Hamate fractures commonly keep hitters out four to eight weeks but can have lingering effects on power; teams often wait for surgical results before issuing timetables.
- Arizona’s outfield depth was already thin after trading Jake McCarthy and dealing Blaze Alexander; Lourdes Gurriel Jr. remains on the IL with a torn ACL.
- Top prospect Jordan Lawlar is shifting to the outfield and figures to start there; Alek Thomas and Pavin Smith are additional internal options.
- The D-backs could consider promoting prospect Ryan Waldschmidt or adding a veteran on a minor-league deal for depth.
Background
Corbin Carroll emerged as one of baseball’s most dynamic position players since his 2023 NL Rookie of the Year season. By 2025 he had established plus power and elite baserunning: FanGraphs credited him with the highest baserunning value in MLB that year, and his 2025 wRC+ placed him 39% above league average. Those two-way tools helped Carroll finish sixth in National League MVP voting in the most recent season.
Hamate fractures are a recurring risk for hitters who sustain contact to the hand while swinging. Recent examples include players such as Jackson Holliday and Francisco Lindor, both of whom underwent treatment and rehab after similar injuries. Medical timetables for hamate excisions vary; teams typically delay definitive prognoses until surgeons complete the procedure and begin follow-up assessment.
Main Event
According to reports, Carroll broke the hamate bone in his right hand during a batting-practice session. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that Carroll is scheduled for surgery today; MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert provided the original injury detail. The Diamondbacks have not released an official timeline or medical bulletin beyond confirming that the club will provide updates after surgery.
The immediate consequence is that Carroll will miss most of spring training and is likely to start the 2026 campaign on the injured list, a move that would open multiple outfield slots for Arizona. The club faces constrained options after offseason moves and existing injuries elsewhere on the roster, complicating lineup planning and roster flexibility heading into Opening Day.
At a player level, hamate-operations typically involve removal of the damaged hook of the hamate followed by a rehabilitation window focused on regaining grip strength and swing feel. While many hitters return within two months, some experience temporary dips in power metrics during their first months back, and the organization will monitor Carroll’s exit velocity and plate performance closely once he resumes baseball activities.
Analysis & Implications
Carroll’s absence tilts Arizona’s roster construction toward younger and less-proven options. With Jake McCarthy traded and Blaze Alexander moved this winter, the D-backs lack a deep bench of established outfield bats. That increases the chance Jordan Lawlar, who was already shifting from the infield to the outfield, will open the season in a starting role.
From a competitive standpoint, losing Carroll’s combination of power and elite baserunning value removes a source of runs that is difficult to replace internally. His 31 homers and 32 steals in 2025 created run-creation both in the box score and on the bases; replacing that on a like-for-like basis would likely require either an internal breakout or a low-cost external acquisition with upside.
Financially and strategically, the D-backs could pursue a short-term external solution rather than a long-term trade, given the likely short-to-medium recovery window for a hamate excision. Signing a veteran to a minor-league deal with a spring invite or targeting late-market free agents would be a low-cost way to add depth without surrendering prospect capital.
For Carroll personally, modern surgical care and rehab give a strong chance of full recovery, but the club and player will track performance indicators—exit velocity, hard-hit rate and plate discipline metrics—before projecting a return to pre-injury production. The way Arizona manages his return will matter for both the team’s 2026 outlook and Carroll’s trajectory as a core player.
| Metric | 2025 (Carroll) | Typical Hamate Return |
|---|---|---|
| Home Runs | 31 | May decline short-term |
| Stolen Bases | 32 (in 38) | Usually unaffected |
| Recovery Window | N/A | 4–8 weeks (common) |
The table above summarizes Carroll’s 2025 production and typical recovery expectations for hamate injuries. While raw recovery windows are often four to eight weeks, real-world return-to-performance timelines vary: teams measure both health and performance before activating a player from the injured list.
Reactions & Quotes
Initial reporting came from established baseball reporters, and the team has promised updates after surgery. Public reaction on social platforms emphasized concern for Carroll’s skill set and Arizona’s roster depth.
“Carroll suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand during batting practice,”
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com (reporting)
Context: MLB.com’s initial report outlined the injury mechanism and identified Carroll as the player affected. That item drove subsequent coverage from national outlets and local beat writers.
“He’s slated to undergo surgery today,”
Jeff Passan / ESPN (reporting)
Context: ESPN’s coverage specified the planned surgical step; teams commonly withhold firm recovery timelines until post-operative assessment. Arizona’s front office has not yet published a medical update.
“This is a blow to an already thin outfield mix,”
Independent analyst commentary
Context: Analysts and local commentators highlighted roster ripple effects given offseason trades and existing injuries, noting Arizona’s need to identify short-term outfield solutions.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Carroll will be officially placed on the 60-day injured list to open the 2026 season remains unconfirmed and will depend on post-surgery evaluations.
- The exact length of Carroll’s absence and the degree to which his power will be affected long-term are not yet confirmed and will require follow-up data after rehab.
- Plans to pursue a specific external veteran or to fast-track a particular prospect (such as Ryan Waldschmidt) are not confirmed and will depend on roster decisions during spring training.
Bottom Line
Corbin Carroll’s hamate fracture and same-day surgery represent a significant, but not necessarily season-altering, setback for both the player and the Diamondbacks. The injury removes a rare blend of power and elite baserunning from Arizona’s early-season lineup and forces the club to lean on younger internal pieces or low-cost external depth while Carroll rehabs.
Timing and outcomes will hinge on surgical findings and the pace of Carroll’s rehab. Fans and analysts should watch official medical updates and early spring training reports—particularly measurements of exit velocity and swing metrics—to gauge how quickly Carroll returns to pre-injury form. Meanwhile, Arizona’s roster moves in the coming weeks will indicate whether management prefers a temporary veteran infusion or a developmental-first approach to filling the gap.
Sources
- MLB Trade Rumors — independent baseball news outlet reporting the development.
- MLB.com — league reporting referenced for initial injury detail (news reporting).
- ESPN / Jeff Passan — reporting that Carroll was slated for surgery (sports news reporting).