After being away from the team for the first two games of the second half while being placed on the restricted list, All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte rejoined the D-backs on Sunday before their game against the Cardinals. Marte was not in the starting lineup on Sunday.
Marte’s home in the Phoenix area was burglarized while he was away at the All-Star Game, and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo intimated on Friday that was the reason that Marte asked him for a “couple of days” off.
“He asked for some time off, time away, just to get grounded and get himself back to where he can come back here and play and be a force,” Lovullo said. “So it’s kind of a day-to-day situation. I’ve had limited contact with him.”
Players on the restricted list remain under contractual control of the Major League club they play for. But they are no longer with the club during their time on the list, and they are not mandated to receive compensation.
In Tuesday’s All-Star Game, Marte’s double off Tarik Skubal drove in a pair of National League runs.
The 31-year-old Marte has a .290/.394/.567 slash line with 19 home runs in 68 games this season. He missed about a month after injuring his hamstring on April 4.
Prior to the team’s optional workout on Thursday, Lovullo said he hoped those who burglarized Marte’s house will eventually be caught.
“We all know what he’s dealing with,” Lovullo said, referring to the burglary. “It’s been unfortunate. I think he retreats a little bit when he gets upset, and I respect that space, and I’m going to give him that space.”
Arizona, which is trying to decide whether to buy or sell at the Trade Deadline, won both Friday and Saturday with Marte out.
