The Arizona Diamondbacks scratched All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte from their starting lineup on Friday against the Minnesota Twins, as he continues to recover from a right foot contusion.

Marte fouled a ball off his foot on Wednesday and exited a game at the San Francisco Giants. The Diamondbacks did not play on Thursday, but Marte has been given an additional day to get right. Ildemaro Vargas entered the lineup for Marte, playing at second base and batting second.

The timing is not optimal. The Diamondbacks have 15 games left on the schedule and sit three games back of the third National League Wild Card spot entering their series opener at Target Field.

“He tried to make a go of it, got to the ballpark here and we just decided that the best thing would be to give him the day,” manager Torey Lovullo told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo.

“Does it mean he is available off the bench? We’re not sure at this point. As we continue to get him treatment and push it down field, we’re gonna try to figure out piece by piece if he’s available tonight and what his situation will be tomorrow. We need him. We know that. We’ve got to get him healthy first.”

Marte had played in 13 straight games since his most recent rest day. He’s had a tough start to September, hitting .171 in 40 plate appearances, so getting him back in rhythm is critical to Arizona making a push at the postseason.

Marte is ninth in MLB with an OPS of .892 this year and eighth in on-base percentage at .381.

There are several Diamondbacks who have pushed through ailments to remain in the lineup, and Marte faced scrutiny last year for asking to take a day off during the final week of the season against the Giants. When asked whether Marte could push through the foot issue on Friday, Lovullo said they discussed it.

“We ran through that a little bit, but he just can’t get on that front side and swing the bat the way he wants to,” Lovullo said. “He felt like he would make us play the type of game that would be more protective of him.

“This is the time of year where guys are definitely gutting it out. But in this case, we just felt like giving him one day would be the best thing.”

Lovullo said he had a good feeling Marte would be back in the lineup on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks are 21-13 this season when Marte does not play.

First pitch on Friday is at 5:10 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

With the Diamondbacks trying to squeeze into postseason contention, what does today’s late scratch of Ketel Marte mean for Arizona in the long term?

Watch the full conversation: https://t.co/5BGPyIyUun pic.twitter.com/g57w2WvykK

— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) September 12, 2025