Christian Israel Arroyo was born on May 30, 1995 in Tampa, Florida to Israel Arroyo Jr., a 20-year United States Marine Corps combat veteran of Puerto Rican descent, and Kimberly Drummond. He grew up a Rays fan. Arroyo attended Hernando High School in Brooksville, Florida. He played for the United States national baseball team at the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup, where he was the MVP of the tournament and helped the US win gold.

On April 24, 2017, the Giants promoted Arroyo to the major leagues. He made his debut later that night, starting at third base against the Los Angeles Dodgers. On April 25, he recorded his first hit, a single, off of Clayton Kershaw. The following day, Arroyo hit his first Major League home run, a two-run shot off of Sergio Romo. He was sent down to Triple-A on June 4 to make room for Hunter Pence, who was returning from the disabled list.

On December 20, 2017, the Giants traded Arroyo, Denard Span, Matt Krook, and Stephen Woods to the Tampa Bay Rays for Evan Longoria and cash considerations. He began 2018 with the Durham Bulls. Arroyo was recalled to Tampa Bay on May 16, making his Rays debut on May 17 against the Los Angeles Angels. He recorded two singles in five at-bats while playing third base. He was optioned to Triple A Durham where he finished the season. Arroyo finished the season with a .264 batting average and one home run.

The Rays traded Arroyo, along with Hunter Wood, to the Cleveland Indians on July 28, 2019, in exchange for minor league outfielder Ruben Cardenas and international signing period slot money. Arroyo did not play for Cleveland during 2019, as he worked to rehabilitate from injuries. During the delayed-start 2020 season, Arroyo appeared in one game for Cleveland, playing an inning at third base on July 26, without a plate appearance. On August 6, Arroyo was designated for assignment by Cleveland.

Arroyo was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox on August 13, 2020. On August 20, he was designated for assignment, without having made an appearance for Boston; he was sent outright to the team’s alternate training site on August 23. On September 8, Arroyo was selected back to Boston’s active roster; he made his first appearance for the Red Sox that day, against the Philadelphia Phillies. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Arroyo batted .240 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 14 games.