Diamondbacks 1B Carlos Santana suffers setback, Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi scratched

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Carlos Santana re-injured his adductor while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Sunday, according to multiple reports, including MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert.

The 39-year-old has already missed more than a month of action with a strained right adductor, and he had been nearing a return. Sunday was his seventh rehab game for Reno.

Santana started eight of the Diamondbacks’ first 10 games this season at first base after signing a one-year contract as a free agent over the offseason. He did not get off to a great start, hitting 2-for-24 before the injury. He went 3-for-25 in Reno before the reaggravation.

In his absence, the Diamondbacks have started utility player Ildemaro Vargas at first base on most nights, with rookie Jose Fernandez also receiving reps at the position. Vargas has started seven of the last eight games at first base and has been one of the most unexpected stories of the season, batting .341 and having won the National League Player of the Month for March/April.

Fellow first baseman Tyler Locklear was reinstated from the injured list on Friday and optioned to Reno, giving the D-backs another option after he missed time following shoulder and elbow surgeries.

Outfielder Jordan Lawlar and first baseman Pavin Smith are working their way back from the IL with potential early-June returns, so the D-backs may have to manage a roster crunch at some point.

Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi scratched from Diamondbacks matchup

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from Monday’s game against the Diamondbacks at Globe Life Park, and reliever Jakob Junis was pegged to start in his place.

Eovaldi was ruled out with left side tightness, according to reports in Arlington.

Eovaldi entered Monday with a 4.15 ERA in eight starts, coming off an eight-inning gem at Yankee Stadium in his last outing. He started Games 1 and 5 of the 2023 World Series against Arizona.

Junis has pitched to a 1.65 ERA in 16.1 innings this year. A starter earlier in his career, Junis has not thrown more than two innings in a game this season.

The Diamondbacks with Michael Soroka on the hill will take on the Rangers at 5:05 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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