The 2026 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, with the Arizona Diamondbacks having a quiet day.
Despite being in the second NL Wild Card spot, Mike Hazen was only able to pull off one trade.
Lars Nootbaar was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals for prospects: RHP Daniel Eagen, LHP Sandro Santana and a player to named later.
The left-handed hitting outfielder has a career slash of .241/.340/.402 and is hitting .234 this season (.198 in his last 30 games).
Lars Nootbaar’s career slash line: .241/.340/.402
Typically high walk rates, does not chase much and can play all three outfield spots.
Under team control through 2027. @jorgecastillo first reported the trade.
pic.twitter.com/GBXscpBAZS— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) August 3, 2026
Hazen did note that this team has struggled to hit righties at times this year and believes Nootbaar can help solve that problem.
“I think it’s frustrating,” Hazen said after the deadline led to only one trade. “After watching the way the team played and wanting to do your part to add in wherever you can. We got a really good player and we have a really good team… I hope we continue to go out and play the brand of baseball that we’ve been playing the last few weeks.”
What this deadline does show is that the fate of a playoff appearance and run, rests on injured players returning.
The Diamondbacks expect to see Justin Martinez, Corbin Burnes, Michael Soroka, Zac Gallen Drey Jameson, and Ryne Nelson back in the fold throughout the next 3-5 weeks. That’s just on the pitching side. Jordan Lawlar, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Tommy Troy are all expected to be back within that time frame too.
But what happens if none of them provide a boost? Or any of them face more delays?
It’s a risky road, but if Hazen and co. are proven right, then the playoffs are not out of the picture.
We did talk with Burnes on Monday, who says he’s going to throw a bullpen on Tuesday and is pushing the envelope to return to the squad in early September.
Martinez is heading out on assignment this week to pitch.
Soroka is slated to pitch in AAA Reno on Tuesday for four innings and 65 pitches.