Diamondbacks’ Carlos Santana exits vs. Braves with groin tightness

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Carlos Santana exited Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves with right groin tightness.

Santana took a pitch in the second inning and bent over in discomfort. After a conversation with manager Torey Lovullo and the athletic trainer, Santana stayed in the game initially. He floated a single into left field but did not look comfortable running to first base.

The Diamondbacks subbed Ildemaro Vargas in to pinch run and played first base. Jose Fernandez, who played first base on Saturday, started as the designated hitter on Sunday.

Lovullo said Santana will get an MRI on Monday, staying behind while the team travels east to start a series at the New York Mets on Tuesday.

“IL (injured list) is not imminent,” Lovullo said. “We’re just gonna read and react to what we see on the MRI.”

Santana has had a tough start to his D-backs tenure, entering Sunday 1-for-23 before his single off Braves starter Martin Perez.

The switch-hitter is 39 years old and signed a one-year deal with Arizona this offseason to provide quality defense and veteran leadership.

Arizona has already dealt with a number of early-season injuries, including outfielder Jordan Lawlar (broken right wrist) and first baseman Pavin Smith (left elbow inflammation). The D-backs don’t have another player on the 40-man roster who is not already in the major leagues or on the injured list.

Santana has been very durable throughout his 17-year career, as the only time he’s been on the injured list over the past decade was in 2022 for only 10 days.

Vargas made an impact in Santana’s spot on Sunday, delivering a two-run triple in Arizona’s 6-5 win.

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