Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte is returning to Arizona to undergo an MRI on his knee, a development that comes after he mysteriously missed the team's game in Boston on Monday. Marte was placed on the restricted list, a designation for players absent without pay and without team permission, for the second time in his career.
The three-time All-Star traveled with the Diamondbacks to Boston following a series in Atlanta. However, he became difficult to locate for the team ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox. According to ESPN, Marte was in Boston on Tuesday and was dealing with a "personal situation," but he and his family are reportedly fine and he remains in communication with the team.
Diamondbacks manager Tore Lovullo appeared visibly emotional when discussing Marte's absence, stating he had limited contact with the player on Monday and was doing his best to reach out. "I just love for him and care for him, he'll be OK," Lovullo said, characterizing the situation as a "personal issue."
The team waited as long as possible to determine if Marte would report to the game, ultimately posting their lineup only 15 minutes before first pitch. Jose Fernandez was recalled from Triple-A Reno to fill Marte's spot.
This marks the first time in Marte's 12-year professional career that he has failed to appear for a scheduled game. The Diamondbacks lost to the Red Sox 11-1 in the game Marte missed, which was their worst loss of the second half of the season.
"We deal with a lot as baseball managers and coaches and teachers," Lovullo commented. "Sometimes you get disappointed, sometimes you get let down, but we're going to figure out how to work through this. The players are gritty, they really around one another."
Marte's first stint on the restricted list occurred in 2025 after his home in Arizona was robbed while he was in the Dominican Republic, resulting in a loss of $400,000. This season, Marte has posted a .760 OPS with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs. The Diamondbacks are currently one game behind the Padres for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. The team has two more games in Boston before returning home to host the Reds.
