The Diamondbacks' July 2025 struggles worsen as Ketel Marte hits the restricted list after a sweep by the Pirates. Can the team survive without its star?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for the slumping Diamondbacks, they did. The team announced Monday that All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte has been placed on the restricted list for personal reasons following a burglary at his home. The news comes as the D-backs, fresh off being swept by the Pirates in embarrassing fashion, face a daunting road trip and dwindling playoff hopes.
One run. That's all the Diamondbacks could muster in their entire three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The loss of Ketel Marte, even temporarily, is a massive blow. The team confirmed he was placed on the restricted list to deal with the aftermath of a home burglary, a difficult situation for anyone. On the field, Marte is the engine of this team. Losing his bat and his veteran presence is the last thing a club that's lost two straight and sits at 51-55 needs. Our thoughts are with Ketel and his family during this time.
Marte's absence magnifies an already glaring problem: this offense has vanished. The recent series against Pittsburgh was a disaster. Scoring just a single run across three games is unacceptable, culminating in a 6-0 shutout loss on Sunday where even ace Zac Gallen couldn't stop the bleeding, giving up four runs. With playoff odds now hovering around a dismal 5.8%, the pressure is mounting on players like Eugenio Suarez (36 HR, 87 RBI) to carry the load.
The front office has been busy trying to patch the holes. With catcher Gabriel Moreno now on the 60-day IL with a fractured hand, a new opportunity arises for Adrian Del Castillo. The young catcher was just called up from Triple-A Reno after tearing the cover off the ball, slashing .288/.386/.559. Fans are hoping he can inject some life into the lineup. To fill Marte's spot on the active roster, the team signed infielder Sergio Alcantara and also called up reliever Trevor Richards.
There's no time to dwell on the bad news. The Diamondbacks open a new series tonight in Detroit against a tough Tigers team (61-46). It's a chance to wash away the memory of the Pirates series and start fresh under ninth-year manager Torey Lovullo. The Tigers are formidable, led by Riley Greene and Gleyber Torres, so the D-backs' pitching and beleaguered offense will be tested immediately. Can this team show some fight, or will the spiral continue?
The 2025 season is officially on the brink. The next week, starting with this series in Detroit, will tell us everything we need to know about the character of this team. Without Marte, and with the offense in a deep freeze, someone needs to step up and be a hero. The question is, who will it be?
