D-backs lose to Cardinals on July 18 as star Ketel Marte hits the restricted list and Gabriel Moreno's injury return is delayed. Read about the roster chaos.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Friday was supposed to be about starting the second half strong against the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead, the game felt like an afterthought as the Diamondbacks were rocked by a massive roster overhaul, headlined by the stunning news that All-Star Ketel Marte has been placed on the restricted list following a burglary at his home.
Ketel is taking some personal days to be with his family after a difficult week. We fully support him and look forward to his return.
The day's biggest news came off the field. Ketel Marte was placed on the restricted list to deal with a personal matter after his home was burglarized during the All-Star break. 'Ketel is taking some personal days to be with his family after a difficult week,' manager Torey Lovullo said. 'We fully support him and look forward to his return.' The blows kept coming as catcher Gabriel Moreno, out since mid-June with a fractured hand, was transferred to the 60-day IL. His recovery has been slower than anticipated, meaning the D-backs will be without their two key offensive players for the foreseeable future.
Amid the difficult news, a fresh face arrives with a hot bat. Catcher Adrian Del Castillo was called up from Triple-A Reno, where he was tearing the cover off the ball. The 25-year-old was slashing .288/.386/.559 with a .945 OPS and had recently blasted four homers, including a two-homer game on July 13. His promotion is part of a wider shuffle that saw reliever Trevor Richards also called up, veteran Sergio Alcantara signed to provide infield depth, and first baseman Tristin English optioned to Reno.
On the diamond, the shaken-up D-backs couldn't find their footing, falling 7-4. Starter Brandon Pfaadt (9-7) was tagged for five runs in 4.1 innings, undone by a four-run fifth inning for St. Louis that featured a back-breaking two-run double by Nolan Arenado. The offense showed flashes, with Corbin Carroll collecting two hits and two RBI and Christian Walker launching a solo homer. But the story was missed opportunities. The team went a dismal 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left nine men stranded, unable to mount a serious comeback after the Cardinals' big inning.
It was a day of gut punches for the Diamondbacks, both on and off the field. Now, the team faces a significant test of its depth and resilience. Without Marte and Moreno, the 'next man up' philosophy will be pushed to its limit. All eyes will be on newcomers like Del Castillo to provide a spark as the D-backs look to even the series against the Cardinals and prove they can weather this perfect storm of adversity.
