Diamondbacks’ Carlos Santana Suffers Rehab Setback, Raising Injury Concerns

Carlos Santana’s latest setback throws another wrench into the Diamondbacks’ plans to get their veteran first baseman back on the field. At 40, he’s the oldest active position player in MLB, and he felt a twinge while playing for Triple-A Reno during his rehab from a right groin strain.

He returned to Arizona for further evaluation. Manager Torey Lovullo called the development “kind of a bummer,” and you could tell he meant it—Santana’s been working hard to get back after the injury that sidelined him on April 5.

Setback in rehab and current status

Santana had been making progress, even hitting a home run at Triple-A that made it seem like his swing was coming around. Then this latest issue popped up, and now he’s back to waiting. He left Arizona’s April 5 game against the Braves in the second inning after a single. His current IL stint looks like it’ll stretch longer than his last big setback.

For some context, Santana played in eight big-league games this season, going just 2-for-24 with a .083 average and no homers or RBIs. He joined the Diamondbacks in early February after last season with the Guardians and Cubs. In 2025, he finished with a .219 average, 11 home runs, and 54 RBIs—numbers that show what he might’ve brought if he’d stayed healthy this year.

Season snapshot and early numbers

Even with all his experience, Santana hasn’t produced much on the field this season. Arizona counted on his left-handed bat and steady presence at first base. Now, the setback scrambles those plans and adds another headache to the club’s roster management, especially with the team’s schedule and all the moving parts from injuries. Right now, everyone’s just trying to figure out a safe path back for Santana—and honestly, for the team too.

Career context and why it matters

Santana stands as the oldest active position player in MLB, which really highlights the kind of durability you need for a long big-league career. This IL stint could be his longest absence since his rookie year in 2010, when he missed two months with a sprained knee. Over 17 seasons, he’s had his share of high-impact years and health battles. Every new setback just adds to his already eventful resume.

• Age and experience: 40 years old, still the oldest active position player in MLB.
• Length of career: 17 seasons and counting, with plenty of IL stints along the way.
• Recent health history: This is his fifth time on the injured list, which says a lot about the risk of groin and other lower-body injuries for guys who’ve been around this long.
• 2025 performance: .219 average, 11 homers, 54 RBIs—split between two clubs before coming to Arizona.
• April 5, 2024/2025 moment: Left a game against the Braves in the second inning after a single, and that’s when this new round of rehab really kicked off.

What this means for the Diamondbacks moving forward

Arizona has to figure out what’s next without Santana’s steady glove at first and veteran bat in the lineup. The setback raises questions about how flexible the lineup can be, how soon Santana might actually come back, and how much the team should push him if he’s able to return soon. There’s always that tension between wanting him back quickly and not risking another injury. That’s just the reality for veteran players rehabbing—never a simple call.

• Roster implications: With Santana out, the Diamondbacks have to lean on in-house options or maybe even make a move to fill first base and keep some veteran leadership in the clubhouse.
• Timeline uncertainty: Nobody really knows when Santana will return, so the team’s offensive depth could take a hit for a while.
• Impact on offense: Others will need to step up, especially if Santana’s rehab drags on and he’s not ready for regular at-bats right away.

Looking ahead: rehab priorities and fan expectations

Santana faces evaluation and a careful rehab plan right now. The main thing? Keeping his return to the field safe and sustainable.

Diamondbacks fans still see him as a seasoned slugger. He brings veteran leadership and a much-needed left-handed bat to a lineup that really needs steady production.

People will watch his recovery closely. Honestly, everyone hopes for a high-effort, low-risk return that keeps Santana healthy for the long haul—nobody wants to see him rush back and risk the rest of the season.

 
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