BREAKING: Marte to 10-Day IL After Mysterious Absence
What Happened with Ketel Marte? A Simple Guide to the Diamondbacks Star’s Latest Absence
Published: August 20, 2026
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Player: Ketel Marte (Second Baseman, Three-Time All-Star)
Who Is Ketel Marte?
Imagine a superhero on a baseball team. That’s Ketel Marte for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Position: Second baseman (he stands between first and second base)
- Achievements: Picked for the All-Star Game three times (that’s like being voted "best in the league" by fans and players)
- This Season’s Stats: Batting average of .249 (gets a hit about 1 out of 4 times), 21 home runs, 67 RBIs (runs batted in — helping teammates score)
ELI5 Definition: Batting average = how often a player gets a hit. .249 means roughly 1 hit every 4 at-bats. RBI = when your hit helps a teammate cross home plate and score a run.
What Just Happened? The Timeline
Here’s the story in order, like a comic strip:
1. The Mysterious No-Show (Sunday)
- Marte didn’t show up for a game in Boston
- No warning, no explanation — just gone
2. The "Restricted List" (Monday–Wednesday)
- The team put him on the restricted list
- What’s that? A special list for players who aren’t playing for personal reasons (not injury). The team doesn’t have to pay them, and they don’t count toward the roster limit.
3. The Knee Trouble (Tuesday)
- Marte flew back to Phoenix (the team’s home city)
- Went for medical tests on his left knee
- Manager Torey Lovullo said it was hard to get information from Marte during this time
4. The Switch to Injured List (Thursday)
- General Manager Mike Hazen announced: Marte moves from restricted list → 10-day injured list (IL)
- What’s the IL? A list for injured players. They stay on the roster but can’t play for at least 10 days. The team does pay them.
- Hazen said: "He’ll return once he’s healthy."
Why Does This Matter for the Diamondbacks?
The team is in a tight playoff race right now. Think of it like the final minutes of a close game.
| Stat | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Record: 67–61 | Won 67, lost 61 — a winning record, but not dominant |
| Wild-Card Race | Fighting for the last playoff spot in the National League |
| Behind Padres by 1 game | San Diego Padres hold the spot; Arizona is right on their heels |
| Marte is a key player | Losing your 3-time All-Star in a playoff push = big problem |
ELI5 Definition: Wild-card = a playoff spot for teams that didn’t win their division but have one of the best remaining records. Only a few teams get in.
Marte’s Season So Far (By the Numbers)
| Stat | Number | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .249 | Solid, not spectacular |
| Home Runs | 21 | Good power — 1 HR every ~14 games |
| RBIs | 67 | Driving in runs consistently |
| All-Star Status | 3-time | One of the league’s best at his position |
This Has Happened Before: Last Season’s Disappearance
IMPORTANT POINT
This isn’t the first time Marte has vanished mysteriously.
Last Year (2025):
- All-Star Break → Marte’s home in Arizona was broken into
- He flew to the Dominican Republic (his home country)
- Missed three games
- Placed on restricted list
- Later apologized for the absence
Context: Personal crises + lack of communication = pattern. The team and fans are concerned.
What Happens Next? (Step-by-Step)
-
Medical Evaluation
Doctors examine Marte’s left knee — MRI, strength tests, etc. -
Diagnosis & Treatment Plan
Could be rest, rehab, injection, or (worst case) surgery -
10-Day Clock Starts
Day 1 = Thursday. Earliest return = 10 days later (but often longer) -
Team Adjusts
Another player fills in at second base. Lineup shuffles. - Marte Returns
Only when fully healthy — Hazen was clear: no rushing back
Key Takeaways (Important Points)
CALL OUT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Marte is injured (left knee), not just "missing"
- He’s on the 10-day Injured List — not the restricted list anymore
- No timeline for return — "when healthy"
- Diamondbacks are 1 game out of a playoff spot — this hurts
- Similar pattern last year — communication remains a concern
- Team supports him — GM Hazen: "He’ll return once he’s healthy"
Summary
Ketel Marte, the Diamondbacks’ star second baseman and three-time All-Star, missed a game in Boston without notice. After three days on the restricted list (for personal reasons), he flew home for knee tests. The team then moved him to the 10-day injured list for a left knee issue. He’ll be out at least 10 days, maybe longer.
This comes at the worst time: Arizona is one game behind San Diego for the final playoff spot. Marte’s bat (.249, 21 HR, 67 RBI) is a huge loss. Last year, he also disappeared during the All-Star break after a home burglary, missing three games before apologizing.
Bottom line: The team needs him back healthy for the playoff push — but his knee (and communication) will decide when.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between the "restricted list" and the "injured list"?
- Restricted List: Player isn’t playing for personal reasons (family, legal, mental health, etc.). Team doesn’t pay; player doesn’t count on roster.
- Injured List (IL): Player is hurt. Team does pay; player stays on roster but can’t play for at least 10 days (or 60 days for serious injuries).
2. How long will Marte be out?
- Minimum: 10 days (that’s the rule for the "10-day IL")
- Reality: Could be weeks. Knee issues vary — minor strain = 2–3 weeks; structural damage = months. The team said "when healthy" — no fixed date.
3. Who plays second base while he’s out?
- The article doesn’t say, but typically a bench player or minor-league call-up fills in. The manager (Torey Lovullo) will shuffle the lineup.
4. Can the Diamondbacks still make the playoffs without him?
- Yes, but it’s harder. They’re 1 game back with ~34 games left. Every game counts. Other players must step up.
5. Why did Marte go to the Dominican Republic last year?
- After his home was broken into during the All-Star break, he flew home to be with family in the Dominican Republic (where he grew up). He missed 3 games, went on the restricted list, and later apologized.
Note: This article is based on an ESPN report from August 20, 2026, with contributions from The Associated Press. Stats and standings reflect that date.