Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte Dealing with Back Tightness

Star second baseman scratched from lineup, status uncertain for upcoming games

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:07am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the overlapping planes and angles of a baseball player's batting stance, rendered in the bold colors of the Arizona Diamondbacks team.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic motion and energy of a star player's swing, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his injury status.Baltimore Today

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was a late scratch from Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles due to lower-back tightness. Manager Torey Lovullo expects Marte to rejoin the starting lineup on Wednesday, but the team has not provided details on the severity of the injury. Marte has been swinging the bat well lately, going 9-for-33 (.273) with three home runs, seven RBIs and six runs scored over his last eight games.

Why it matters

Marte is a key offensive contributor for the Diamondbacks, so any injury concerns surrounding the 32-year-old All-Star could have a significant impact on the team's performance. The Diamondbacks will need to closely monitor Marte's status and recovery to ensure he is healthy enough to continue his productive season.

The details

Marte was originally slated to start at second base on Tuesday, but was a late scratch due to the lower-back tightness. Infielder Ildemaro Vargas took Marte's place at second base for the game against the Orioles. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed optimism that Marte would be able to return to the lineup on Wednesday, but the team has not provided a timeline for his recovery or specifics on the injury.

  • Marte was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday, April 18, 2026.
  • Lovullo expects Marte to rejoin the starting lineup on Wednesday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Ketel Marte

A 32-year-old second baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks who is an All-Star and a key offensive contributor for the team.

Torey Lovullo

The manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ildemaro Vargas

An infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks who filled in at second base on Tuesday after Marte was scratched from the lineup.

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What they’re saying

“Marte (back) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game versus the Orioles.”

— Torey Lovullo, Manager

What’s next

The Diamondbacks will continue to monitor Ketel Marte's back injury and provide updates on his status leading up to Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

The takeaway

Ketel Marte's lower-back tightness is a concern for the Diamondbacks, as he is a crucial part of their lineup. The team will need to ensure Marte is fully healthy before returning him to the field to avoid any further aggravation of the injury and potential long-term issues.