Diamondbacks Move Ketel Marte to Restricted List Minutes Before First Pitch

The Arizona Diamondbacks recently placed second baseman Ketel Marte on their restricted list just before game time on Monday. According to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, Marte arrived with the team in Boston to face the Red Sox, but he did not show up for the game. The restricted list is used for players who are away for personal, unexcused, or non-baseball reasons.

Players on this list do not receive pay or service time, and there is no set limit for time spent on the list. In response to Marte's addition to the restricted list, the Diamondbacks recalled infielder Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Reno and placed him in the lineup, batting seventh and playing third base. The Diamondbacks have not provided further details about the situation.

Marte, while not performing at his usual level this season, has still managed to contribute significantly to the team. He has hit 21 home runs and driven in 67 runs this year, boasting a .760 OPS. The two-time Silver Slugger winner has been a crucial player for the Diamondbacks over the past several seasons, maintaining an above-average OPS+ for the last five years.

Marte has been a key part of the team since joining the Diamondbacks in 2013, hitting 189 home runs during his tenure in Phoenix. He has earned three All-Star appearances and led the Diamondbacks to the World Series in 2023, winning the NLCS MVP award that season. Marte is not absent due to injury, so the length of his absence is entirely up to him or the Diamondbacks, depending on the nature of his absence. If he returns as soon as possible, the Diamondbacks could activate him before Tuesday's game.