Diamondback's Ketel Marte (image: Diamondbacks)
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte did not appear for Monday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, prompting the team to place him on the restricted list and raising fresh questions about his status heading into the stretch run.
Marte was originally slated as the designated hitter, but the Diamondbacks delayed releasing their lineup by roughly 20 minutes on Tuesday, hoping he would show up before ultimately placing him on the restricted list. The team has cited a “personal matter” without disclosing further details. Arizona went on to lose the game 11-1.
Manager Torey Lovullo addressed the situation directly but offered limited information. “All I know is that he’s dealing with a personal issue… he didn’t show up today, and he was put on the restricted list,” Lovullo said. General manager Mike Hazen added, “It was unfortunate that he wasn’t there tonight.” Teammate Geraldo Perdomo struck a supportive tone, saying, “I don’t know anything… we are a family, and we’re going to support everybody, no matter what.”
Marte’s absence comes amid an ongoing left knee issue. He was pulled from a game the previous Friday due to soreness, sat out Saturday, and returned to action Sunday before Monday’s no-show. He is reportedly heading back to Phoenix for an MRI to evaluate the knee, though the team has not confirmed results, and no timeline has been given for his return.
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Marte, 32, has been a key contributor this season, posting a .760 OPS with 21 home runs for a Diamondbacks team (66-60) currently fighting for an NL Wild Card spot. His absence — for personal and physical reasons alike — comes at a critical stretch of the season, leaving Arizona to navigate the uncertainty without knowing when their star infielder will be back in the lineup.
Last summer, Martel’s home was robbed during the All-Star break.
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