Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll takes live ABs, aiming to play spring training games

SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, less than four weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his right hand, faced live pitching at Salt River Fields on Friday.

Carroll received three at-bats on the backfields, hitting a couple of fly balls to left and a line drive to right field off Diamondbacks prospect Patrick Forbes. Adrian Del Castillo (calf) and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (ACL) were also hitting live batting practice in the same group.

Carroll said everything felt fine in the batter’s box, while catching the ball with his right hand has felt normal as well.

The two-time All-Star is not only pushing to return by Opening Day but to play in spring training games before then.

“Should be pretty close,” Carroll said. 

Question: “How many spring training games do you want to play?”

Carroll: “Ten.”

Question: “You’d have to get in there pretty quickly, then?”

Carroll: “That’s the plan.”

Corbin Carroll already taking live ABs on the backfields.

Here he’s facing prospect Patrick Forbes. pic.twitter.com/w9ksYykjwy

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) March 6, 2026

The Diamondbacks only have 17 spring training games left after Friday, including two games at Chase Field against the Cleveland Guardians.

Carroll had surgery Feb. 11 after suffering the injury while fouling off a pitch during live batting practice.

He was ruled out for the World Baseball Classic and considered a question mark for Opening Day. The day after surgery, Carroll was back at the facility throwing a weighted ball against the wall with his non-throwing hand in a cast.

Opening Day is on March 26 at Dodger Stadium, and Carroll had previously made it clear he was pushing to play in it.

Manager Torey Lovullo was not surprised by Carroll’s 10 games ambition, but he also acknowledged that there is still a process to go through.

“I respect Corbin’s drive and determination, that’s what makes him great,” Lovullo said. “But in this case, the medical team is still in control of what’s going on right now.”

Merrill Kelly update

Pitcher Merrill Kelly (back) threw a bullpen on Thursday, which went according to plan.

Lovullo said Friday that Kelly felt good waking up Friday morning and will throw a live batting practice session on Sunday. The plan is for Kelly to throw one inning as he builds up for the regular season. Whether he starts the year in the rotation or on the injured list remains to be determined.

“Two guys pushing hard to get healthy and get back into the rhythm of where they were prior to the injury,” Lovullo said of Carroll and Kelly. “They both look good and they feel good, which is very encouraging.”

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