Ketel Marte is returning to Arizona to undergo an MRI on his knee after being placed on the restricted list.
Ketel Marte is returning to Arizona as the Diamondbacks await more information on the veteran second baseman’s knee.
Marte was placed on the restricted list Monday before Arizona’s game against the Boston Red Sox after he did not report to Fenway Park. The move initially came with few details, leaving questions surrounding his unexpected absence.
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Marte’s agent, Charisse Espinosa-Dash, provided an update Wednesday. Marte is dealing with a personal matter and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his knee.
The Diamondbacks are now waiting to learn whether the knee issue will affect Marte’s availability moving forward.
Marte had already been dealing with soreness in his left knee before the situation in Boston. He was removed from Friday’s game because of the issue and remained out of the lineup Saturday. He returned Sunday before the Diamondbacks traveled to Boston.
The timing of the latest development comes at an important point in Arizona’s season. The Diamondbacks remain in the National League Wild Card race and cannot afford to lose one of their most important offensive players for an extended period.
Marte has dealt with some inconsistency at the plate since the beginning of July, but he remains a major part of Arizona’s lineup. He has hit 21 home runs this season, which leads the team, while also providing the experience that comes with more than a decade in the majors.
Up until this point in the season, Marte has posted a .249/.314/.446 with an OPS of .760.
Certainly, the numbers reflect a down year for one of the best second basemen in the league. Still, given the context of how his season has played out, he has remained a vital figure in the Diamondbacks' lineup, even if his numbers have dipped from previous seasons.
Arizona recalled infielder Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Reno to help fill the roster spot created by Marte’s placement on the restricted list. Fernandez was already with the club as part of the taxi squad because Nolan Arenado was dealing with a torso injury.
For now, the focus remains on Marte’s upcoming MRI and determining the severity of his knee issue.
The Diamondbacks will hope the examination provides encouraging news and that Marte can return to the lineup sooner rather than later. With Arizona fighting for a postseason spot, having Marte available could be especially important as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Marte remains optimistic about his recovery and returning to the field. Until the results of his MRI are known, however, the Diamondbacks will have to wait for a clearer picture of when their second baseman could be available again.
