On Thursday night, things looked bleak for the Arizona Diamondbacks — or at least as bleak as they can for a first-place team. The Diamondbacks were drubbed 9-0 by the New York Mets, which completed a sweep. Worse, Corbin Carroll, Arizona’s star rookie left the game with what appeared to be a significant shoulder injury. A trip to the Injured List seemed inevitable.
One day later, everything was different.
The Diamondbacks got back on track Friday, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3. And Carroll not only avoided the Injured List but didn’t miss any time.
Before the game, manager Torey Lovullo said that the “early indications were very, very positive” and added that “There’s potential for him to be playing a lot sooner than later. And I mean a lot sooner.” Not long after, we saw what he meant, as Carroll was in the lineup and batting second.
Not only was Carroll in the lineup, but he had a good day. He went 2-for-5 at the plate, driving in a run and scoring two others. Carroll also stole two bases, giving him 26 on the year. Those 26 steals, along with his 18 home runs on the year, put Carroll in a group that no other rookie in MLB history has ever been in.
Corbin Carroll is the first rookie in MLB history with 15 HR & 25 SB before the All-Star break pic.twitter.com/xTWcKWBj4M
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 8, 2023
The MLB world was impressed by Carroll’s latest achievement.
With him and Book man… AZ sports in great hands.
YUNG 🐐 CC https://t.co/EAMnToQokS
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) July 8, 2023
https://t.co/gjLRp2D8J3 pic.twitter.com/Zz8AeWJVVi
— The Welsh (@IsItTheWelsh) July 8, 2023
🤩🤩 that’s your #MLBAllStar https://t.co/Ul8fBkuYQQ
— Luke Lyddon (@Luke_Lyddon) July 8, 2023
If you haven’t watched the Diamondbacks at all on the MLB app, you’re missing out. 145 WRC+, 26 stolen bases and his fly ball rate is 37.3% through 85 games. He’s fun. https://t.co/bpegnThbze
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) July 8, 2023
Impressive ! https://t.co/MXrA3hJQrX
— Casey Leigh (@Casey_LeighD) July 8, 2023
And just last night, it looked like he was headed to IL with that wonky shoulder. https://t.co/WnilZj44v8
— Goof on Sabbatical from Philly™ (@MetsFanInPhilly) July 8, 2023
Sometimes it seems as though there’s little difference from one day to the next. Other times, the difference between two days feels more like a year than 24 hours. Carroll and the Diamondbacks would seem to be in the latter category.
