Diamondbacks look to patch a first-base hole after injuries disrupt the plan

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ season has run into an unusually stubborn problem at first base. The club’s initial approach centered on a platoon between Pavin Smith and veteran free agent Carlos Santana, a two-man plan designed to share starts and keep production steady at a key infield spot.

Instead, injuries have undercut the blueprint. Smith and Santana, combined, have started just 10 of Arizona’s 74 games at first base through the point referenced in the report, meaning the everyday roles the Diamondbacks envisioned have not consistently materialized. With that stability removed, the team has had to make frequent adjustments in-game and across the roster.

The performance numbers at the position have matched the instability. When Smith and Santana have been on the field together at first, the report says the pair is 4-for-35 with two walks, nine strikeouts, and one run batted in. Those outcomes fall well short of what Arizona would want from its primary first-base options, whether operating as a platoon or a temporary full-time solution.

The knock-on effect has been broader than a single roster spot. The report notes that the Diamondbacks, even before reaching the halfway point of the season, have already used seven different players to start games at first base. That is the kind of early rotation that can ripple through both lineup construction and bench usage, since role players are rarely able to settle into repeatable at-bats and defensive rhythms.

For a team trying to build consistent offensive looks, first base is not just a defensive assignment. It also anchors part of the batting order, and persistent lineup flux can make it harder to identify platoon advantages and matchups that teams rely on over a long schedule. When the position keeps changing, the Diamondbacks also lose opportunities to develop a clear internal solution they can point to as the season progresses.

The Diamondbacks now face a practical question: whether to lean harder into Smith and Santana once they are able to stay healthy, or to continue widening the search for production at the position. Either path carries consequences. Returning to the original platoon plan would require better results when the pair is actually available, while a continued rotation suggests the front office may need to accept that first base is going to be handled more like a patchwork than a stable plan.

The immediate watch item is continuity. The report frames Arizona’s first-base struggle as both an availability issue and a hitting issue, which means the next steps will likely hinge on who can be present consistently and who can make contact and cash in opportunities once they get there. If the Diamondbacks can reduce the number of different starters and improve the at-bat quality from their primary first-base options, they can start turning a positional weakness back into a manageable, even if not perfect, part of their roster.