Carlos Santana is searching for one more chance to contribute at the major league level, and his latest landing spot brings him to a contender with World Series aspirations. The 40-year-old, who spent 11 seasons with Cleveland across two separate stints and remains one of the most beloved figures in recent franchise history, is heading to Atlanta on a minor league deal after a difficult and injury-shortened run with the Diamondbacks. Jeff Passan was first to report the agreement between Santana and the Braves.
“Veteran first baseman Carlos Santana and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a minor league contract, sources tell ESPN. Santana, 40, will head to Triple A, where he provides insurance for Atlanta and can try to get back to the big leagues after being released by Arizona,” Passan wrote.
Veteran first baseman Carlos Santana and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a minor league contract, sources tell ESPN. Santana, 40, will head to Triple-A, where he provides insurance for Atlanta and can try to get back to the big leagues after being released by Arizona.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 28, 2026
Santana’s stint in Arizona never got off the ground. He appeared in just eight games before suffering a strained right adductor in early April, and the brief sample he produced before the injury, a meager .083 average with two hits in 24 at bats, did little to inspire confidence in his remaining bat speed. The Diamondbacks chose to release him following his rehab assignment rather than keep him in the organization, closing the book on a one-year, $2 million deal that never had the chance to play out.
Cleveland fans will always remember Santana fondly for his original tenure with the organization, one that included a 2019 All-Star selection and a switch-hitting approach that made him one of the most patient hitters in the sport. Santana ranks as the active leader in career walks, a testament to the plate discipline that defined his game across parts of 17 major league seasons. His career OPS jumps considerably when batting right-handed, a trait that could still carry some value against left-handed pitching if he ever forces his way back into a major league role.
Whether Santana ever takes the field again for Atlanta remains uncertain, but the move gives him a path to keep playing and perhaps add one more chapter to a career that began in Cleveland 16 years ago.
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