The first day of Diamondbacks spring training was officially the first workout for pitchers and catchers. But plenty of position players were also on the fields on Tuesday, Feb. 10, fielding and hitting in less formal training.

Late in the morning, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and second baseman Ketel Marte officially had a new first baseman to throw to — Carlos Santana, whom the Diamondbacks signed on Tuesday.

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Santana figures to operate in a platoon of some nature at first base with Pavin Smith, though Santana will serve as a designated hitter as well. He signed a one-year contract with a mutual option from the Diamondbacks and went right to work Tuesday with his new teammates.

The 39-year-old switch hitter from the Dominican Republic won an American League Gold Glove in 2024 with the Minnesota Twins, registering a .996 fielding percentage with just four errors in 1,094 total chances.

Santana might not be the hitter he once was, or at least what he was in 2019 when he hit .281 and won a Silver Slugger award and was a starter in the All-Star Game with Cleveland. But he ranks in the top 10 among active major leaguers in several offensive categories, including first in walks with 1,330.

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Defense has long been Santana’s calling card, with 32 defensive runs saved since 2023. It’s the main reason the Diamondbacks went out and got him.

“One of the things that we set off into this offseason, coming off last year, was a commitment to really fortifying our defense,” Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said. “I feel like we’ve tried to stay somewhat stubborn to that.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) signs autographs for the fans during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) signs autographs for the fans during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Corbin Burnes (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gavin Logan during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Fans watch the action in the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

The Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers reported to camp for the first day of spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes (left) talks to pitching coach Brian Kaplan during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026 at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel (37) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Burnes (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson (81) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Corbin Burnes (left) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes (back) and pitching coach Brian Kaplan watch pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throw during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (center) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Kayden Marte, son of Ketel Marte, fields a ground ball and throws it to first base with Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

“Wanted to make sure that our defense was where it needed to be, and he’s an elite defender at that position.”

Hazen pointed out that run prevention is the reason that the Diamondbacks haven’t made the postseason the past two seasons. The team got off to a rough start defensively as a whole last season and fell back in the standings before a late rally late in 2025.

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Hazen said Santana is a stronger hitter against left-handers with the left-handed-hitting Smith better against right-handers. The Diamondbacks, in addressing defense, traded for veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado in the offseason, and Arenado has long been known for flashy defense.

Santana has postseason experience, and he’s in camp early with the team as he will join Marte and Perdomo at the World Baseball Classic in March.

Saalfrank loss hurts bullpen

Hazen said left-handed reliever Andrew Saalfrank was dealing with shoulder soreness late last season but pitched through it on his way to a 1.24 earned run average over 29 innings in 2025. Saalfrank had shoulder surgery on Monday, Feb. 9, and will miss the season.

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“I knew he wasn’t 100 percent,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We’re going to miss him. He’s going to step away, but I told him to make sure that he’s ready when he steps back into the arena in 13 months.”

The Diamondbacks will continue to look for left-handed relievers in free agency to shore up their bullpen. Lovullo said the team does not yet have a closer this season.

Saalfrank had three saves in 2025.

Diamondbacks games return to 12 News

The Diamondbacks and 12 News KPNX, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, announced this week that a renewed local broadcast distribution agreement will bring 10 Diamondbacks games over-the-air to fans during the 2026 season.

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In addition, 12 News will air the season opener as part of the Major League Baseball on NBC national broadcast agreement, bringing the total number of over-the-air games on 12 News to 11 this season.

“Our first year partnering with 12 News exceeded every expectation, not only in viewership, but in how deeply it allowed us to connect with fans,” said Derrick Hall, Diamondbacks president, CEO & general partner, in a team statement. “We are excited to build on that success and continue expanding access to the game we love.”

The first game on 12 News is March 26 against the World Series champion Dodgers, the season opener.

In addition to live game broadcasts, 12 News will again produce “D-backs on Deck,” a one-hour gameday show airing prior to each broadcast. Hosted by sports anchors and reporters Cameron Cox, Lina Washington and Jake Garcia, the program delivers analysis, behind-the-scenes access, and interviews with players and team personnel.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks make Carlos Santana signing official