Ketel Marte left in the fourth inning of the Diamondbacks game against the Phillies. While covering second base on a Garrett Stubbs’ double, Stubbs’ momentum pushed him right into Marte’s ankle. The Diamondbacks’ second baseman limped off the field after the play and was replaced by Kevin Newman.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the fifth inning, Zac Gallen appeared to injure his groin attempting to field a comebacker. Gallen was unable to make the play, leading to a groundout to shortstop, and was immediately pulled.
It wouldn’t be the first time that Newman has been asked to fill in for a key player on the infield, as he admirably filled in at shortstop while Geraldo Perdomo was out with a torn meniscus. He’s developed into a quality reserve option, becoming the primary backup at all four infield spots. Should Marte need a stint on the injured list, he becomes an everyday starter once again.
In terms of infield depth, Arizona just has Blaze Alexander left on the infield in terms of 40-man roster options. Top prospect Jordan Lawlar is still on the injured list with a hamstring injury.
Injuries have piled up of late, now affecting all the key players in the lineup. They lost Christian Walker to an oblique injury on July 29, then Gabriel Moreno to a left groin strain on August 5. However, Marte has been the key bat that has anchored the lineup throughout all these injuries. He launched his 30th home run into the Chase Field pool in the first inning to give the Diamondbacks the lead.
The Diamondbacks rotation depth has been stretched completely thin. While arguments were made about Ryne Nelson vs. Jordan Montgomery to stay in the rotation, that has become a moot point with Gallen’s injury looming. They do not have any starting pitching depth left in the minor leagues, with both Cristian Mena and Yilber Diaz on the minor league injured list. There is no one left to call up.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
