The Diamondbacks introduced that second baseman Ketel Marte has been positioned on the 10-day injured record with a sprained left ankle. Infielder/outfielder Pavin Smith has been recalled because the corresponding transfer.
Marte has been battling an ankle harm for over every week now. Final Saturday, when taking part in the Phillies, catcher Garrett Stubbs slid into second whereas attempting for a hustle double. Marte acquired the throw coming in from left discipline and tried to use a tag to Stubbs when the 2 collided, however his leg bought caught awkwardly beneath the Philly catcher (video from MLB.com).
Arizona’s second baseman was faraway from that sport in apparent ache however has tried to play by the harm since then. He was within the lineup for final Monday’s sport however seemed to be in ache once more and was faraway from that contest. He then missed just a few days however returned to the lineup on Saturday, serving because the designated hitter. Sunday, he wasn’t within the beginning lineup however entered as a pinch-hitter however appeared to irritate his harm on a verify swing and was eliminated earlier than ending his at-bat.
After these failed makes an attempt to remain on the sector, he’ll now spend a minimum of 10 days on the shelf. Supervisor Torey Lovullo doesn’t appear too involved, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com on X, saying that they consider it’s a low-grade sprain and that Marte simply wants some relaxation. Whether or not he must miss greater than the 10-day minimal or not stays to be seen, however it’s an enormous blow to the Diamondbacks regardless, as Marte has been placing himself into the MVP dialog with a stellar season.
Marte has 30 dwelling runs this 12 months and a ten.4% stroll price, whereas limiting his strikeouts to a 17.8% clip. His .298/.370/.560 batting line interprets to a 152 wRC+, indicating he’s been 52% higher than league common on the plate. Solely 10 certified main leaguers have a greater mark than that this 12 months. He’s additionally stolen six bases and acquired robust grades for his protection on the keystone. Solely six gamers have extra wins above alternative than his 5.4 this 12 months, per FanGraphs. Francisco Lindor and Shohei Ohtani are the one two Nationwide League gamers forward of him there.
Subtracting that type of manufacturing would harm any group, however the Snakes even have Christian Walker and Gabriel Moreno on the injured record in the meanwhile, that means they head into this week with out three of their greatest regulars.
The D’backs have been taking part in very properly of late and at the moment sport a document of 69-56. They’re solely 4 video games again of the Dodgers within the West and have possession of the second Nationwide League Wild Card spot, however groups like Atlanta, the Mets and others are in hanging distance. The Snakes will likely be attempting to remain forward of that pack within the coming weeks however will likely be doing so with out Marte, Walker or Moreno on the roster, and it’s unclear when any of these three might be returning to the membership.
Kevin Newman has been taking part in a whole lot of second base in Marte’s stead previously week and should proceed doing so. He’s a strong defender however has hit .262/.305/.361 in his profession for a 78 wRC+. His .281/.314/.382 batting line this 12 months is barely higher however nonetheless interprets to a subpar 92 wRC+.
Smith’s recall is probably going nearly giving the membership an additional bat, as he’s solely performed first base and the outfield in his profession. Blaze Alexander is probably going the membership’s present backup on the three positions to the left of first base, supporting Newman, Geraldo Perdomo and Eugenio Suárez.
