Carlos Santana

As reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Saturday evening, the 40-year-old slugger joins the Braves on a minor league deal. He’ll report to Triple-A Gwinnett where he’ll function as insurance in the even that Dominic Smith’s recent struggles continue. Santana was just 2-for-24 (.083) with eight strikeouts in his limited action with the Diamondbacks before being released on Friday.

Santana didn’t seem to have much in the tank left last year, but he didn’t get a real shot with the Diamondbacks after playing in eight games at the beginning of the season and then getting released upon returning from an adductor strain. The Braves could go to him as a part-timer at some point if Dominic Smith continues to fade.

The 40-year-old slugger was designated for assignment earlier in the week. He hasn’t played since April 5 due to a right adductor injury and has not performed well on his minor league rehab assignment. He’s now free to explore other opportunities if he chooses to do so.

Santana (right adductor) hasn’t played since April 5th and has not looked good during his rehab assignment. The 40-year-old was just 2-for-24 for Arizona before suffering his injury. With no room for him on the active roster, the Diamondbacks have decided to move on.

Santana was removed from the game in the sixth inning, but the Diamondbacks could have very well just decided they didn’t want their 40-year-old first baseman to withstand any more abuse. Santana has been on the IL since April 7th with a groin injury and then suffered an oblique strain in early May while beginning a rehab assignment. In the meantime, Pavin Smith has returned to the Diamondbacks lineup, so it remains to be seen what happens to Santana’s playing time when he does return.

Santana, 40, will begin his rehab assignment at the lowest level. The veteran infielder will likely need a couple of weeks of games in the minors before being an option near the end of June for the Diamondbacks.

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.

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.

As Kyle Tucker returns, Santana loses his spot after going 2-for-19 in eight appearances for the Cubs, leaving him at .219/.308/.325 in 474 plate appearances this season. He could factor into the postseason mix if more injuries strike. Otherwise, he’ll head into free agency as a 40-year-old coming off the worst season of his career. He might have to take a minor league deal if he hopes to keep playing.