Ketel Marte Return Timeline Updated by D-Backs Manager After Stints on Injured, Restricted Lists

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a plan to get second baseman Ketel Marte back on the field after he was placed on the restricted list and then the injured list in the aftermath of him not showing up for a game against the Boston Red Sox.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the team hopes to have Marte back in the lineup for its series against the Philadelphia Phillies starting Aug. 31.

"That's what we're thinking about," Lovullo said, per David Brandt of the Associated Press. "I think that will be the 10th day or the 11th day, so there is definitely a strategy to get him back on the field, get him healthy."

Brandt noted the Diamondbacks put Marte on the restricted list after he didn't show up to Fenway Park but eventually moved him to the 10-day injured list because of mild inflammation in his left knee.

The story was once again in the headlines Friday when Marte was seen in a casino during the Diamondbacks' game against the Cincinnati Reds. Lovullo told reporters at the time he was "free to do whatever he wants" as long as he did his rehab work:

According to Brandt, Marte is yet to address his teammates about his disappearance.

"We're trying to create the softest space for him to re-emerge back in this environment," Lovullo said. "That's up to him however he wants to do it. I cannot force a human being to do something that I want to do, or anybody in this room wants to do, or a fan wants to do.

"One of the things that makes Ketel such an extraordinary player is he goes to the beat of his own drum. I respect that."

Marte has appeared in 118 games this season and is slashing .249/.314/.446 with 21 home runs, 67 RBI and four stolen bases.

The 2023 National League Championship Series MVP was also a back-to-back All-Star and Silver Slugger winner in 2024 and 2025. He is a key part of the lineup for an Arizona team hoping to make a late charge.

The Diamondbacks enter Monday's game against the Chicago Cubs two games behind the San Diego Padres for the final wild-card spot in the National League.