Baseball Star Returns to Practice Hours After Hand Surgery

Less than a day after doctors operated on his broken hand, baseball star Corbin Carroll walked back onto the field with a cast on his wrist and got straight to work.

The Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder broke his hamate bone during batting practice Tuesday when he fouled off a pitch. He felt something moving around in his hand and knew immediately something was wrong.

Most athletes would take time to rest and recover. Carroll had other plans.

On Thursday morning, with his surgical cast still fresh, he was back at Salt River Fields doing throwing drills and meeting with medical staff. His manager wasn't the least bit surprised.

"That's how he's wired, and that's what makes him so special," said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. "It's just who he is and why we all love him so much."

Carroll joins a small club of recent players with the same injury, including Francisco Lindor and Jackson Holliday. The hamate bone sits in a vulnerable spot where the bat handle can strike it during powerful swings.

While he can't hit yet, Carroll is doing everything else to stay game ready. He's running, lifting weights to keep his legs strong, and continuing his throwing program.

The Bright Side

Carroll found perspective in the timing of his injury. He'll miss representing Team USA in next month's World Baseball Classic, a disappointment he called "one of the biggest honors" he could receive.

But the injury happening now instead of mid season means he won't miss critical games when his team needs him most. He might even be ready for Opening Day, or shortly after.

His new Team USA gloves still sit in his locker, a reminder of the opportunity he's missing. Yet Carroll chooses to focus on gratitude rather than disappointment.

The physics of baseball means this injury will happen to others, Carroll explained simply. It's unfortunate but part of the game he loves.

His teammates now have a front row seat to what championship mentality looks like when facing adversity.