Full Breakdown
Ketel Marte placed on restricted list after no-show at Fenway
8/18/2026, 10:49:56 AM
The No-Show and Immediate Roster Move
Arizona’s Diamondbacks placed All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte on the Major League Baseball restricted list on Monday night after he failed to appear at Fenway Park for the series-opening game against the Boston Red Sox. The club activated infielder Jose Fernandez from Triple-A minutes before the first pitch to fill Marte’s spot, and Lars Nootbaar started at designated hitter in his place. The Diamondbacks delayed posting a lineup until about 15 minutes before the game, indicating they were hoping Marte would arrive.
Background of Prior Absences
Marte’s absence is not his first off-field disappearance. In the 2025 season he missed three games after his home was burglarized during the All-Star break, for which he later issued a public apology. Teammates have previously expressed frustration with his frequent days off, though manager Torey Lovullo and other players have publicly defended him. Earlier this year, Marte gained full no-trade protection after reaching ten years of service and five consecutive seasons with Arizona.
Data & Statistics
- 2026 season (through 118 games): .249 batting average, 21 home runs, 67 RBIs, .760 OPS.
- Career with Arizona (since 2017): 34.9 WAR, third on the franchise’s all-time WAR list.
- Contract: six-year, $105 million deal through at least 2030, with an $11.5 million player option for 2031.
- Diamondbacks’ record at the time: 66-60, one game behind the Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Torey Lovullo said the team had “very little” communication with Marte on Monday and that the player was “dealing with a personal issue.” Lovullo added that Marte was “fine” physically and that the club believed he was still in Boston. He emphasized that the team would continue to work through the situation and focus on the game. The organization also noted that players placed on the restricted list receive no pay and do not accrue service time while absent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Sometimes you get disappointed. Sometimes you get let down. But we're going to figure out how to work through this,” — Torey Lovullo, manager
- “It's been a crazy day. All I know is that he's dealing with a personal issue,” — Torey Lovullo, manager
- “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'm sure in time we'll start to uncover (and) unravel some information.” — Torey Lovullo, manager
- “There’s ups and downs in a baseball season and I always thought a good stretch like this was coming and it was just a matter of time,” — Brayan Bello
Impact on the Wild-Card Chase
With Fernandez stepping in, the Diamondbacks lost the game 11-1, widening the gap in the National League wild-card race. The loss kept Arizona a game behind the Padres, heightening the importance of the remaining schedule as the team seeks to secure a postseason berth while navigating Marte’s uncertain availability.
