Diamondbacks Moved Corbin Carroll Down Lineup
Manager Torey Lovullo dropped the outfielder to the seventh spot to help ease pressure.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Baseball
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Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has moved Corbin Carroll to the seventh spot in the batting order. The decision follows a recent struggle at the plate for the outfielder, who is currently batting .174 in September.
Why it matters
Management aims to improve offensive production during the final playoff push as the Diamondbacks remain four games behind the last Wild Card berth. The coaching staff hopes the change will alleviate pressure on Carroll following a recent brief absence due to a back issue.
Carroll currently holds a .795 OPS for the season and missed two games recently due to a back issue, though follow-up MRI results were clean.
The players
Corbin Carroll
He is an outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks who has experienced fluctuations in his offensive production during the current season.
Torey Lovullo
He serves as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and is responsible for determining the team's daily batting order.
The details
The move marks the first time Carroll has hit seventh since August 30, 2024. The organization is prioritizing lineup stability as they attempt to close a four-game gap in the Wild Card race.
Timeline
August 30, 2024: Corbin Carroll last batted in the seventh spot.
July 2026: Carroll recorded a .163 batting average.
August 2026: Carroll finished the month with a .234 batting average.
September 18, 2026: Carroll moved to the seventh spot against the Yankees.
Season Trajectory
This strategic adjustment highlights the narrowing margin for error as the Diamondbacks attempt to qualify for the postseason under the MLB Wild Card qualification criteria. The move underscores the intense pressure on key contributors to perform as the club chases a playoff berth.
Fantasy managers should account for Carroll's move to the bottom of the lineup, which typically results in fewer plate appearances and limited run-scoring opportunities. The tactical shift directly impacts the team's ability to score runs in high-leverage situations during their final games.
The takeaway
Managerial adjustments like this one are common tools used to preserve a player's confidence during extended slumps. Fans can monitor the batting order in coming games to see if this change produces the needed spark for a postseason run.
Further reading
For more on the team's playoff push, visit the Baseball section.
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