Several prominent Major League Baseball players, including Corbin Carroll, Francisco Lindor, and Jackson Holliday, have suffered broken hamate bones during the initial days of spring training. These injuries, which typically require surgery and a recovery period of four to eight weeks, will sideline the athletes for varying lengths of time, potentially affecting their teams' early season plans. The hamate bone, a small wrist structure vulnerable due to the mechanics of batting, has become a notable concern as training begins.
Spring training for the 2026 MLB season kicked off with an unfortunate spate of hamate bone injuries affecting key players across different teams. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll fractured the hamate bone in his right hand during live batting practice on Tuesday in Scottsdale, Arizona. He had hit a home run on the previous swing before fouling off a pitch, which led him to immediately check his hand. Carroll underwent surgery on Wednesday and will miss the upcoming World Baseball Classic with Team USA, though a best-case scenario could see him return around Opening Day.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo recounted the moment Carroll informed him of the injury, saying, "I think I just broke my hand." Lovullo added that Carroll's first concern after the injury was missing the WBC: "When I talked to [Carroll] on the phone last night, that was the first thing that he mentioned that he wasn't going to be able to do that."
Similarly, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor had surgery on the hamate bone in his left hand on Wednesday, with manager Carlos Mendoza announcing a six-week recovery timeline. Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft, broke the hamate in his right hand during batting practice last week and is scheduled for surgery on Thursday. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias stated Holliday will miss Opening Day, with recovery expected in weeks. Historical data from Baseball Prospectus indicates an average absence of about seven weeks post-surgery.
The hamate bone, a small, wedge-shaped structure in the wrist on the pinky side with a hook-like projection, is prone to fracture in baseball due to bat grip and swing vibrations, particularly from checked swings. Diagnosis often requires CT scans or MRIs, as X-rays are ineffective. Surgery typically involves removing the bone fragment, given its poor blood supply, with recovery ranging from four to eight weeks. A 2020 study found 81 percent of 261 professional players returned at the same or higher level, though complications like those experienced by Mike Trout in a prior season can occur.
For the Diamondbacks, Carroll's absence adds to outfield challenges, with left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. sidelined by a knee injury. Lovullo is considering shifts, such as moving Alek Thomas to right field and trying Jordan Lawlar in center. Veteran Nolan Arenado, who was batting with Carroll, noted, "He hit a homer the pitch before... it's not a long-term issue. So as long as he rehabs it right, he'll be just fine."
The Orioles plan to use recent acquisition Blaze Alexander at second base during Holliday's recovery. Lovullo reflected on the Diamondbacks' injury history, including last year's ulnar collateral ligament issues for Corbin Burnes, A.J. Puk, and Justin Martinez, but emphasized resilience: "I'm not going to play that game with myself... I'm not going to allow the team to think like that."
