Ketel Marte Scratched Friday: Diamondbacks Lineup Update

The article summarizes a Friday night game where the Arizona Diamondbacks scrambled to adjust their lineup after Ketel Marte got scratched with an illness. A handful of roster moves and early-season struggles set the stage for their matchup with the New York Mets.

It also spotlights a notable MLB call-up from Triple-A Reno and gives a glimpse into the club’s mindset as they tried to regroup at home.

Marte scratched due to illness; lineup changes vs Mets

Ketel Marte was scratched from Friday’s lineup about 90 minutes before first pitch because he was under the weather. This was only Marte’s second missed game of the season; he sat out once in April against the Orioles with back tightness.

The veteran second baseman has been in a bit of a funk, going 0 for his last 8 at the plate and just 2 for his last 26 overall. That only added to the tension for this matchup with a Mets team that’s struggled all year.

Originally, Marte was set to bat second. Instead, Ildemaro Vargas moved into the No. 2 spot, while Jose Fernandez started at first base and hit eighth.

Vargas, who was supposed to play first, slid over to second base. The rest of the lineup: Geraldo Perdomo at short, Corbin Carroll in right, Adrian Del Castillo as DH, Nolan Arenado at third, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in left, Gabriel Moreno behind the plate, and Jorge Barrosa in center.

Lineup changes at a glance

• Ketel Marte scratched due to illness
• Marte’s second missed game of the season; first was back in April vs. the Orioles
• Ildemaro Vargas moves to No. 2 in the order
• Jose Fernandez starts at first base, bats eighth
• Vargas originally listed at first base shifts to second base
• Other starters: Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Corbin Carroll (RF), Adrian Del Castillo (DH), Nolan Arenado (3B), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF), Gabriel Moreno (C), Jorge Barrosa (CF)

Manager Torey Lovullo kept tinkering to squeeze production from the lineup, even with Marte out and the offense sputtering. The club hoped to end their skid and get back on track against a Mets squad still searching for answers.

Rising prospect Waldschmidt comes up as Thomas is DFA’d

Manager Torey Lovullo said top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt will start Saturday’s game in center after getting his first MLB call-up from Triple-A Reno. Waldschmidt’s promotion came right after Alek Thomas was designated for assignment—a clear sign the Diamondbacks want to see what their depth can do as the season keeps rolling.

Waldschmidt joins a lineup that’s already got a few young faces, while Marte recovers and the bats try to wake up. Lovullo’s juggling act between immediate needs and long-term development becomes more obvious as the club sorts out who can really contribute in a crowded outfield.

What this means for the Diamondbacks going forward

With Marte out, Vargas sliding into the No. 2 spot feels like a patch job to keep runs coming while the team figures out a new top of the order. Jose Fernandez’s versatility—starting at first and plugging in wherever—gives Lovullo some options, but the D-backs need more from guys like Carroll, Gurriel Jr., and Moreno, who’ve shown flashes but haven’t all clicked at once.

Promoting Waldschmidt shows Lovullo’s open to letting young players spark the lineup, especially with the team in a rough patch. The Diamondbacks hope their depth finally turns into actual production as they chase some steady ground in the second half.

Game context and what to watch

Arizona just dropped six of their last seven games. Now, they’re looking to reset at home against a Mets team tied for the worst record in baseball.

Friday’s first pitch lands at 6:40 p.m. local time. You can catch the radio broadcast on 98.7 or stream it through the Arizona Sports app.

With injuries piling up and prospects getting called up, the Diamondbacks face a tricky balancing act. Can they win now, or is it more about building for the future?

 
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