D-backs’ Ketel Marte activated Wednesday vs. Dodgers after IL stint

The Arizona Diamondbacks are getting a big piece of their starting lineup back Wednesday, activating outfielder Ketel Marte off the injured list Wednesday and sending outfielder Nick Heath to Triple-A Reno.

Per Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, Marte will be available off the bench against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Marte hasn’t played since April 7, when he suffered a strained right hamstring in an 8-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

In just six games played this season (28 plate appearances), Marte is averaging .462 and slugging .846 with 12 hits, including four doubles and two home runs. He walked twice and struck out four times.

Despite being moved around defensively in years past, Marte has played solely in the outfield in 2021.

“I feel very good about where he’s at,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters Sunday ahead of his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Reno Aces. “I got a chance to watch him play 10 innings over the past two days out at Salt River, and it seemed like he’s in the right head place and physically seems to be in a very good spot as well.”

Marte’s return comes at a good time for the Diamondbacks, who have dealt with numerous injuries to the starting lineup lately, with catcher Carson Kelly (left big toe tuft fracture) and Asdrubal Cabrera (strained right hamstring) and starting pitcher Luke Weaver (right shoulder strain) going on the 10-day IL in the last week. OF Kole Calhoun was transferred to the 60-day IL Saturday.

They join starting pitchers Zac Gallen (sprained right elbow) and Taylor Widener (right groin strain) and first baseman Christian Walker (right oblique strain) on the IL.

On Monday, ace Madison Bumgarner lasted just four innings before being removed from his start due to a left adductor spasm. He is currently not on the IL.

Follow @AZSports