second baseman Ketel Marte is headed to Phoenix to have an MRI on his left knee, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
This comes one day after Marte did not show up for the team’s series opener against the Red Sox in Boston. He was later placed on the restricted list by the club, which labelled his absence as a “personal matter.”
Marte was originally scheduled to DH but was removed from the D-Backs’ lineup shortly before first pitch.
“It’s been a crazy day,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the team’s lopsided 11-1 loss.
“All I know is that he’s dealing with a personal issue. We’re trying to figure that out, and he didn’t show up today and he was put on the restricted list. That’s as much as I know right now. I just was doing my best to reach out to him, and there was very little coming back.”
Marte had travelled with the Diamondbacks to Boston after their game in Atlanta against the Braves on Sunday. He was originally removed from Friday’s game with knee soreness and sat out Saturday, but was back in the lineup Sunday, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Lovullo mentioned Marte’s knee has been bothering him since earlier this month.
The 32-year-old is slashing .249/.314/.446 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI in 118 games so far this season. This is his 10th season with the Diamondbacks after beginning his career with the Seattle Mariners.
The Diamondbacks enter play Tuesday one game back of the San Diego Padres for the National League’s final wild-card spot at 66-60.
