"Ketel Marte's the heart and soul of that team" - MLB insider believes D-Backs need their MVP candidate back in full health
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal talked about how important talisman Ketel Marte is for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 30-year-old is having an exceptional season as he spearheads the D-backs offense with a .298 batting average, 30 home runs and 81 RBIs this season.
Owing to his performances this season, Marte is also in the race for the National League MVP with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
On the latest episode of "Fair Territory," Ken Rosenthal talked about how the Snakes dearly miss Ketel's presence on the team, as he is currently out with an ankle injury (5:08).
"Ketel Marte's had that ankle issue that's been nagging him," Rosenthal said. "He's an MVP candidate, he is the heart and soul of the team, the offensive engine. They badly need him to be healthy."
Diamondbacks swept in Tampa Bay as Ketel Marte is placed on 10-day IL
The Arizona Diamondbacks wrapped up a disappointing trip to Tampa Bay on Sunday, losing the final game of the away series 8-7, as they were swept by the Rays at Tropicana Field.
In a game where the hosts dominated early on, leading 5-0 by the end of the fifth, the Snakes clawed their way back level, only for the home team to walk it off in the 12th.
After coming to the plate in the 9th inning of the game with the Rays on Saturday, Ketel Marte fell to the ground after checking his swing. He eventually had to be helped off the pitch by the D-backs staff, unable to put any weight on his ankle.
The injury was originally sustained on the 10th of August in a home game against the Philadelphia Phillies where Garret Stubbs made contact with Marte while attempting to slide into second base. One of Pavin Smith, Kevin Newman and Blaze Alexander has been deputizing for Ketel in his absence so far.
For their next game, the Diamondbacks bounced back with a win against the Miami Marlins in the series opener on Monday. They took the game 6-9 to draw first blood in the series.