D-backs Place 1B Carlos Santana on IL with Adductor Strain

Arizona calls up Luken Baker from Triple-A to replace injured veteran

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:10am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion and energy of a baseball game, with sharp planes of color representing the Diamondbacks' roster changes.A cubist interpretation of the Arizona Diamondbacks' roster shakeup, with injured veteran Carlos Santana giving way to a new generation of talent.Reno Today

The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed first baseman Carlos Santana on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right adductor. To fill his roster spot, the team has purchased the contract of first baseman Luken Baker from their Triple-A affiliate in Reno. Additionally, infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar has been transferred to the 60-day IL with a fractured right wrist.

Why it matters

Santana's injury is a significant blow to the D-backs, who were hoping the veteran slugger could provide a veteran presence and power in the middle of their lineup. The team will now turn to the 29-year-old Baker, who has limited major league experience, to fill in at first base while Santana recovers.

The details

Santana, who turns 40 on Wednesday, was just 2-for-24 (.083) with 8 strikeouts through the first 8 games of the season before suffering the adductor strain. He was removed from Sunday's game against the Braves with what was initially diagnosed as right groin tightness. The move to the IL is retroactive to Monday. Over his 17-year MLB career, Santana is a .240 hitter with 335 home runs and 1,136 RBIs. Baker, who was batting .242 with 1 homer and 5 RBIs at Triple-A Reno, will now get a chance to prove himself at the big league level.

  • Santana was removed from Sunday's game against the Braves with right groin tightness.
  • Santana was placed on the 10-day IL on Monday, retroactive to that date.
  • Lawlar was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday after being hit by a pitch and diagnosed with a fractured right wrist. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

The players

Carlos Santana

A 40-year-old veteran first baseman in his first season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who has been placed on the injured list with a strained right adductor.

Luken Baker

A 29-year-old first baseman who has been called up from Triple-A Reno to replace Santana on the Diamondbacks' roster.

Jordan Lawlar

A 23-year-old infielder/outfielder for the Diamondbacks who has been transferred to the 60-day injured list with a fractured right wrist.

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What’s next

The Diamondbacks will hope that Santana can make a quick recovery from the adductor strain, while Luken Baker will look to make the most of his opportunity to contribute at the major league level.

The takeaway

Santana's injury is a setback for the Diamondbacks, who were counting on the veteran slugger to provide a steady presence in the middle of their lineup. The team will now need to rely on younger options like Luken Baker to fill the void at first base until Santana can return.