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Carlos Santana managed to avoid being designated for assignment for 17 seasons until June 24. Two days later, he was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks, leaving the 40-year-old first baseman in the unusual position of looking for work in the middle of a season.
MORE: Venezuela earthquakes rattle MLB stars on Giants, Braves, Dodgers, Brewers
On June 27, he found it.
Santana signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The veteran first baseman, an All-Star with the Cleveland Guardians in 2019, will head to Triple-A Gwinnett according to Passan.
Santana played only eight games this season with the Diamondbacks before he was felled by an adductor strain. He went 2-for-24 (.083) before landing on the injured list.
MORE: Mets make decision on Carlos Mendoza amid disastrous season
In a career that began in 2010, Santana has a .240/.351/.424 slash line, 335 home runs and 1,136 RBIs in 2,212 games. He is the oldest active position player in either league, and the oldest to appear in a game for a National League team in 2026.
If he appears in a game with Atlanta, they will become the 10th different team Santana has played for, joining the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates. Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and Chicago Cubs.
Santana was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to Cleveland as a minor leaguer in 2008. He debuted two years later as a catcher, but eventually settled in as a first baseman and designated hitter.
MORE: Trevor Bauer leaves Long Island Ducks after less than three months
The Braves are 49-31 through June 26. They have led the National League East for 73 of the season’s first 86 days. Matt Olson is among the best first basemen in MLB, and won’t be displaced by Santana’s arrival.
If he is promoted, Santana will give the Braves a potential switch-hitting option off the bench who might spell left-handed hitting DH Dominic Smith in certain matchups.
Santana has hit left-handed pitchers (.818 OPS) better than right-handers (.756) in his career, while the Braves have slightly better results against right-handers (.732) than lefties (.721) in 2026.
Continue reading...
MORE: Venezuela earthquakes rattle MLB stars on Giants, Braves, Dodgers, Brewers
On June 27, he found it.
Santana signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The veteran first baseman, an All-Star with the Cleveland Guardians in 2019, will head to Triple-A Gwinnett according to Passan.
Santana played only eight games this season with the Diamondbacks before he was felled by an adductor strain. He went 2-for-24 (.083) before landing on the injured list.
MORE: Mets make decision on Carlos Mendoza amid disastrous season
In a career that began in 2010, Santana has a .240/.351/.424 slash line, 335 home runs and 1,136 RBIs in 2,212 games. He is the oldest active position player in either league, and the oldest to appear in a game for a National League team in 2026.
If he appears in a game with Atlanta, they will become the 10th different team Santana has played for, joining the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates. Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and Chicago Cubs.
Santana was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to Cleveland as a minor leaguer in 2008. He debuted two years later as a catcher, but eventually settled in as a first baseman and designated hitter.
MORE: Trevor Bauer leaves Long Island Ducks after less than three months
The Braves are 49-31 through June 26. They have led the National League East for 73 of the season’s first 86 days. Matt Olson is among the best first basemen in MLB, and won’t be displaced by Santana’s arrival.
If he is promoted, Santana will give the Braves a potential switch-hitting option off the bench who might spell left-handed hitting DH Dominic Smith in certain matchups.
Santana has hit left-handed pitchers (.818 OPS) better than right-handers (.756) in his career, while the Braves have slightly better results against right-handers (.732) than lefties (.721) in 2026.
Continue reading...
