A system and method of combining move commands of an automated data storage library is disclosed that includes receiving a first command from a host system to remove a first data storage cartridge from a data storage drive of the automated data storage library; maintaining the first data storage cartridge within the data storage drive until receiving a second command from the host system to move a second data storage cartridge into the data storage drive; responding to the host system with a successful move completion status of the first data storage cartridge from the data storage drive, even though the first data storage cartridge is maintained within the data storage drive; and updating a cartridge inventory for the host system to indicate that the first data storage cartridge is located in a requested storage slot location after receiving the first command from the host system to remove the first data storage cartridge from the data storage drive, even though the first data storage cartridge is maintained within the data storage drive.