Team USA and the Arizona Diamondbacks were dealt a tough blow just as anticipation was building for both the World Baseball Classic and the start of spring training. Corbin Carroll, the dynamic outfielder who was expected to play a key role for both squads, has suffered a hamate bone injury in his right hand - an injury that will sideline him for the WBC and may keep him out of the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup.
According to reports, Carroll isn’t alone on the injured list. He joins a growing group of high-profile players dealing with hamate bone issues, including Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday and Mets star Francisco Lindor. While all three injuries are concerning, Carroll’s timing is particularly brutal for Team USA, which now finds itself scrambling to rework its outfield rotation just days before pool play begins.
Carroll was more than just a roster piece for Team USA - he was likely penciled in as a starting outfielder. His mix of elite speed, gap power, and defensive range made him a perfect fit for the international stage, where versatility and athleticism often separate the contenders from the pretenders.
With Carroll out, Team USA is currently left with just three outfielders: Aaron Judge, Byron Buxton, and Pete Crow-Armstrong. That trio brings plenty of talent, but the depth chart is suddenly thin, and the team will need to move quickly to find a replacement.
One name that’s already being floated as a potential fill-in is Nationals All-Star James Wood. If Team USA goes that route, they’d be swapping one young, toolsy outfielder for another.
Wood hit .256 with an .825 OPS last season and showcased serious power with 31 home runs - a career high. He may not match Carroll’s top-end speed, but he brings a different kind of threat to the lineup, with a long frame and raw power that plays in any ballpark.
For the Diamondbacks, Carroll’s absence is equally concerning. The reigning triples leader - he racked up 17 in 2025 - was coming off a solid bounce-back season, posting a .259 average and an .883 OPS.
He was expected to be a cornerstone of Arizona’s lineup and a spark plug at the top of the order. Now, the D-backs will need to explore short-term solutions, whether that’s internal or on the open market.
In the meantime, Jorge Barrosa is the next man up. The 23-year-old outfielder hit just .141 last season, and while he’s known more for his glove than his bat, he’ll likely see increased playing time in Carroll’s absence. Still, given the offensive production they’re losing, the Diamondbacks may look to add another outfielder via trade or free agency to help bridge the gap.
Hamate injuries are notoriously tricky. They often sap a hitter’s power even after they return, and recovery timelines can vary.
That makes it hard to predict exactly when Carroll will be back to full strength - and what kind of production he’ll offer once he is. For now, both Team USA and Arizona are left to adjust on the fly, hoping their depth - and perhaps a timely roster addition or two - can carry them through the early part of the season.
It’s a frustrating turn for one of baseball’s brightest young stars and a reminder of just how quickly spring optimism can shift. Carroll was poised to make a major impact on the international stage and help anchor a Diamondbacks team with postseason aspirations. Now, both squads will have to find a way forward without him - at least for now.