Arizona Diamondbacks News

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee) is returning to Arizona to undergo an MRI exam on his knee, a source told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Marte did not show up to the team's series opener on Monday in Boston against the Red Sox and was placed on the restricted list due to a personal matter. In addition to a personal issue, the 32-year-old All-Star is not 100% healthy, even though it was reported on Monday that he was physically fine. The D-backs are considering him day-to-day for now, but it sure feels like Marte might be looking at an extended absence with everything that he is currently going through. In the meantime, Ildemaro Vargas, who made the start at the keystone in Monday's loss at Fenway Park, should see most of the playing time at second until Marte returns. Marte, a three-time All-Star, is currently hitting .249/.314/.446 with a .760 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four steals in 118 games this year. He is a must-start in fantasy lineups when he is active, and he needs to be stashed in all leagues while he is away from the team.

Updating a previous report, The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro was told that Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (personal) is doing OK physically, but he just "didn't show up to the ballpark tonight" for the series opener on Monday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. The D-backs placed Marte on the restricted list before the game, and it is unclear how long he will be out of action. In the meantime, Ildemaro Vargas got the start at second base and was hitting leadoff in Boston. We hope everything is all right with the 32-year-old Marte, who is hitting .249/.314/.446 on the year with a .760 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 469 at-bats in his 12th year in the big leagues. When we have more information on this situation, we will pass it along. For now, fantasy managers will need to keep Marte stashed on their bench in all leagues. Vargas should see most of the playing time at second until Marte returns. He got off to a red-hot start in April/March by hitting an absurd .378 with six homers and 20 RBI before cooling off in May and June. He got hot again in July, hitting .344, but with zero homers in 22 games. UPDATE: Francys Romero reports that Marte is dealing with a personal matter. There is no estimated return date, and he's currently considered day-to-day.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Monday that they placed second baseman Ketel Marte on the restricted list and recalled infielder Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. It is unclear why Marte is going on the restricted list or how long he will be away. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at the keystone for the Snakes and is batting leadoff for Monday's series opener at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox and left-hander Alec Gamboa, and he will most likely see most of the playing time at second base for however long Marte is out. We should have an update on Marte's status before the end of Monday night, so fantasy managers will want to check back on his situation. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is a must-start in all traditional fantasy leagues when he is active. He comes into Monday's slate of games hitting .249 (117-for-469) on the year with 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 118 games and 519 plate appearances. Marte hit only .218 (22-for-101) in July, though, and has gone 9-for-43 (.209) with two home runs, two doubles, five RBI, and seven runs scored in 13 games in August.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Monday that they reinstated third baseman/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Tyler Locklear to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. It is unclear if he'll be in Arizona's starting lineup for the series opener on Monday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 24-year-old former top prospect has been out nearly two months with a strained left hamstring. He will be returning to a .316/.409/.447 slash line with an .856 OPS, a home run, four RBI, six runs scored, and four stolen bases in a small sample size of 12 games played over 44 plate appearances. Lawlar hit .250 with five home runs and two stolen bases in nine minor-league rehab games for Double-A Amarillo and could be a sneaky deep-league pickup for power and speed the rest of the way if he sees enough playing time in the desert. His best path to playing time will be in center field. Lawlar is rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available after his hamstring injury.

Arizona Diamondbacks utility prospect Manuel Pena has hit for power all this season with 31 combined homers between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. He has combined for 91 RBI while hitting .294. Since being recalled to Reno on June 16, Pena has hit five homers with 27 RBI for the Aces with a .269 batting average. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter is the No. 29 prospect for the Diamondbacks and has 55-grade power with just a 40-grade hit tool. So the power numbers look legit while the overall hitting (and batting average) could leave something to be desired. Pena has a lot of position flexibility with the ability to play multiple infield positions as well as the outfield. So he could be useful if Arizona wants to give him a big-league opportunity the rest of the way. In deep leagues, he could be worth a stash look for the potential power output.

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee) is starting at second base and batting cleanup for the Snakes in Sunday's series finale in Atlanta against Braves right-hander Bryce Elder, according to D-backs reporter Jody Jackson. Marte was pulled from Friday's win over Atlanta with some knee soreness, and he was held out of Saturday's win as a precaution. He's back in the starting nine for the series finale and should be returned to all traditional starting fantasy lineups, even if he doesn't have a great history against Elder. In just seven career at-bats against Elder, Marte is hitting .143 with two RBI. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner is hitting .251/.315/.448 with a .763 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 64 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 117 games and 515 plate appearances. So far in August, he's gone 9-for-40 (.225) with an .805 OPS, two home runs, two doubles, five RBI, six runs scored, eight walks, and eight strikeouts.

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (left knee) is out of the starting lineup Saturday against the Atlanta Braves after leaving Friday's series opener early. Marte appeared to twist awkwardly while ranging to his right for a ground ball in the first inning and later exited with left knee soreness. The Diamondbacks are considering him day-to-day for now, so there is no indication yet that a stint on the injured list will be necessary. Marte is batting .252 with 21 home runs, 67 RBI, and four stolen bases this season. His absence Saturday is at least a short-term blow for fantasy managers, but the day-to-day designation is encouraging.

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee) was pulled from Friday's game early against the Atlanta Braves with soreness in his left knee, the team announced. Marte appeared to injure himself on defense in the bottom of the first inning and was pulled in the second inning. Ildemaro Vargas moved from first base to second base, with Tim Tawa moving from center field to first base, and Jorge Barrosa entering the game to play center field. We should have more details on the severity of Marte's knee injury after the game. Until then, fantasy managers should consider the All-Star second baseman to be day-to-day. The 32-year-old switch-hitter entered the day hitting .252/.315/.449 with a .765 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 64 runs scored, and four stolen bases across his 465 at-bats in 2026. Marte continues to be one of the more productive fantasy second basemen, but he entered the day hitting only .231 (9-for-39) with two homers, two doubles, five RBI, six runs, eight walks, and eight strikeouts in 11 games in the month of August.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently using a closer-by-committee in the desert that involves left-hander Brandyn Garcia and right-handers Kevin Ginkel and Juan Morillo. Although Garcia's last save came on July 31, his three saves on the season currently lead the D-backs' bullpen, and he's been sharp in his second season in the big leagues with a 2.12 ERA (2.17 FIP), 0.79 WHIP, his first three career saves, 37 strikeouts, and only seven walks in 34 innings out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old southpaw immediately became a favorite of manager Tory Lovullo's in the ninth inning when the club demoted veteran right-hander Paul Sewald from the closer's role. In addition to his career-high three saves, Garcia has 13 holds as well, making him an interesting relief arm in leagues that count holds. Since the beginning of July, Garcia has allowed only four runs (three earned) while walking two, striking out 17, saving two games, and picking up five holds. He may be the best option for saves in Arizona the rest of the way, and he's rostered in under 20% of Yahoo leagues.

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) is starting at the 6 and batting leadoff on Wednesday in the series finale against the division-rival Colorado Rockies and right-hander Ryan Feltner, per MLB.com. Perdomo dealt with knee soreness in Monday's series opener against the Rockies and was held out as a precaution on Tuesday, but he's back in there and ready to set the table against Colorado. The 26-year-old switch-hitting Dominican infielder will be looking for his first hit against Feltner, whom he's gone hitless against in seven at-bats. Perdomo has mostly been underwhelming for fantasy managers in 2026 after a career year in 2025, but he is batting .368 (14-for-38) with a 1.021 OPS, a homer, a double, two triples, four RBI, and four runs scored so far in 10 games in the month of August.

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) will sit out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the division-rival Colorado Rockies after being pulled from Monday's series opener with soreness in his left knee, according to MLB.com. Ildemaro Vargas will start at the 6 in Arizona and will hit eighth against Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. Perdomo's knee injury doesn't sound too serious, but he'll miss at least one game. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if he's feeling good enough to return to action. The 26-year-old Dominican switch-hitter hasn't lived up to expectations in 2026 after a breakout year in 2025 in which he hit .290 (173-for-597) with 20 home runs, 100 RBI, 27 stolen bases, and 98 runs scored in 161 games played. Going into Tuesday's games, he's slashing .244/.359/.374 with a .733 OPS, nine homers, 42 RBI, 17 steals, and 57 runs scored in 116 games played. Perdomo had his worst month in July, hitting .194 (18-for-93) with a .658 OPS, three homers, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI, five steals, 15 runs, 16 walks, and 13 strikeouts in 24 games.

Across 50 innings (53 games) in 2026, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Kevin Ginkel has recorded a 3.60 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 47 strikeouts, and 11 holds. The 32-year-old has largely been deployed in a setup role this season. However, the Diamondbacks recently designated veteran right-hander Paul Sewald for assignment. Sewald had been the team's closer for most of 2026 before running into major struggles in the second half of the season. Ginkel picked up his first save of the year on Sunday and could now be part of a closer committee in Arizona with left-hander Brandyn Garcia and right-hander Juan Morillo. Ginkel has the advantage of experience on his side, as he's logged 17 saves and 60 holds across 309 career innings with the Diamondbacks. In deeper leagues, Ginkel could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) exited Monday night's game early against the division-rival Colorado Rockies with soreness in his left knee. Before leaving, Perdomo went 0-for-2 at the plate as the leadoff man with a walk and a run scored. He was replaced at the 6 in Arizona by Ildemaro Vargas to start the fifth inning at Chase Field. The 26-year-old Dominican infielder's knee injury looks to be a day-to-day issue, but fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if he's active for the second game of the series in the desert against Colorado. Perdomo hasn't been able to keep things going in 2026 after he posted a career-high 20 home runs with 100 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 161 regular-season games in 2025 in his fifth year in the big leagues. Going into Monday's contest in Arizona, Perdomo was slashing .245/.359/.376 with a .735 OPS, only nine home runs, 42 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored in his 115 games and 498 plate appearances. The D-backs can ill-afford to lose Perdomo as they compete for a National League wild-card spot down the stretch, even though he has been mostly underwhelming in 2026.

The Arizona Diamondbacks officially announced that right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will come off the 15-day injured list to start on Monday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Chase Field, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Soroka will be returning to Arizona's starting rotation for the first time since June 20 after recovering from a strained left glute muscle. In his lone minor-league rehab start last Tuesday with Triple-A Reno, the 29-year-old went four innings and threw 57 pitches, allowing an earned run with two walks and a strikeout. The matchup against Colorado away from hitter-friendly Coors Field is definitely enticing, but Soroka will come with much more risk after his long layoff, and it would not be surprising if he doesn't go deep enough to qualify for a quality start on Monday in the desert. However, Soroka could be a difference-maker for rotation depth in fantasy leagues the rest of the way if he can return to his pre-injury form from 2026. In a bounce-back campaign, he has a 3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts in his 82 innings pitched for the D-backs.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) threw four innings and 57 pitches for Triple-A Reno in a minor-league rehab game on Aug. 4, and he's expected to come off the 10-day injured list to start on Monday, Aug. 10, against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at home, according to MLB.com. Soroka has been sidelined since June 20 with a left-glute strain, but now that he's on the verge of a return, fantasy managers looking for rotation help should look his way. If the 29-year-old Canadian can return to his pre-injury form from this year, he'll be a real asset down the stretch for fantasy managers. In his 15 starts (82 innings pitched) in his first year in the desert, Soroka went 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.92 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks for the Snakes. In back-to-back starts against the Rockies (one at home, one on the road) on May 17 and May 22, Soroka allowed only three earned runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out 10 in 11 2/3 innings with one win. He'll be very tempting in starting fantasy lineups in his return to start next week in Arizona against Colorado.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt has been unbelievable on the mound lately. Since being recalled on June 30, Pfaadt owns a 1.55 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 40 2/3 innings across seven starts. He has quietly been excellent on the mound and deserves to be rostered in more fantasy leagues going forward. Overall this season, Pfaadt owns a 3.66 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 52:22 K:BB across 20 games (10 starts) with the Diamondbacks. He's currently slated to take the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Fantasy managers seeking pitching help should consider adding Pfaadt ahead of that start.

Across 114 1/3 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has recorded an 8-9 record with a 5.04 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts. While the veteran right-hander's overall line is not pretty, he's been significantly better of late. Across 32 2/3 innings since the start of July, Kelly has pitched to a 3.03 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and three wins. The 37-year-old has recorded a measly 15.9% strikeout rate on the year, which limits his fantasy upside. Still, Kelly has a long track record as a proven innings-eater, and he appears to be pulling himself out of his rough first half of the 2026 season. In the right matchups, Kelly carries streamer appeal in deeper league formats.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have activated catcher Gabriel Moreno from the paternity list on Wednesday, and he will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup against the San Diego Padres and right-hander Casey Mize, who will be making his debut with the Friars. James McCann will do the catching and bat seventh for the Snakes. Moreno will end up missing just one game on Tuesday to catch the birth of his second child this week. The 26-year-old Venezuelan backstop is having a fine season at the plate in 85 games (350 plate appearances), slashing .298/.380/.438 with a career-high .818 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, 46 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his fifth year in the majors (fourth in Arizona). Moreno is coming off a great month of July, too, in which he hit .362 (34-for-94) with two home runs, six doubles, 19 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 25 games played.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (lower body) made his first minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Reno and allowed an earned run on three hits while walking two and striking out one in four innings against Triple-A El Paso. The 29-year-old Canadian hurler will need one more rehab assignment, at the most, before the D-backs return him to their starting rotation for the stretch run. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Soroka (he's rostered in 66% of Yahoo leagues) are hoping that he can return to his pre-injury form from earlier this year. The former first-rounder by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 has had one of his best seasons in the big leagues in 2026 in his first year in the desert, going 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 frames across his 15 starts with the Snakes. Fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues should consider stashing Soroka now.

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno was a late scratch from the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival San Diego Padres to attend the birth of his second child, according to Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated. Veteran James McCann got the start behind the dish to catch right-hander Brandon Pfaadt and was hitting eighth in the batting order against Padres right-hander Michael King. Fantasy managers should expect Moreno to go on the paternity list on Tuesday and miss the remainder of the series against SD. The 26-year-old Venezuelan backstop is having a fine fifth year in the big leagues in 2026, as he came into Monday's tilt with a .298/.380/.438 slash line, a career-best .818 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, 46 runs scored, and four steals in 85 games and 350 plate appearances. Moreno needs just two homers to set a new career high. He's 0-for-10 to begin August, but Moreno hit .362 (34-for-94) with a .927 OPS, two homers, six doubles, 19 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 25 games in July. Moreno should be back in action for the team's weekend series against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers at home.