What Corbin Carroll’s injury means for the Diamondbacks heading into the regular season

Carroll is among several prominent major leaguers — including the New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor and the Baltimore Orioles’ Jackson Holliday — dealing with hamate bone injuries. The injury often requires surgery and typically carries a recovery timetable of around four to six weeks.

While it may not sound like a complicated injury to recover from, it can be particularly challenging for power hitters.

The hamate is a small, hook-shaped bone in the palm. Because of its location, it absorbs repeated stress from the knob of the bat during swings. Damage to the bone can decrease power and cause lingering discomfort.

Historically, hitters who undergo surgery to repair the hamate can return to the field relatively quickly. But the real question isn’t just how fast they can get back on the diamond, but rather it’s how long it takes to regain full strength and power in their swing. For Carroll, who has relied on power as a key part of his offensive profile, this could present an obstacle even after he returns.

Carroll’s 31 home runs and 84 RBIs in 2025 were largely the result of his left-handed power and complemented other contact-power hitters such as Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte. Replicating that production will be difficult if it takes the Diamondbacks outfielder time to return to full strength.

The Diamondbacks outfielder is already set to miss the World Baseball Classic and could miss Opening Day depending on his recovery. Arizona may need to lean more heavily on its depth to stabilize the lineup and continue competing in a stacked National League West division.

April games count the same in the standings as September ones, and the Diamondbacks understand that well.

With uncertainty about whether their All-Star outfielder will be ready to begin the regular season, the question isn’t just when Carroll will return, but also how quickly his power will return as the season progresses.