Ketel Marte, Gabriel Moreno return to Diamondbacks’ lineup vs. Giants

Sep 24, 2024, 4:36 PM | Updated: 4:37 pm

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by teammates following a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at American Family Field on September 22, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

BY ALEX WEINER

Diamondbacks reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks’ batting order Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants returned to normalcy with second baseman Ketel Marte, left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and catcher Gabriel Moreno back in against All-Star starter Logan Webb.

The D-backs entered Tuesday’s slate 1.5 games up on the Atlanta Braves for the third Wild Card spot after losing Monday’s opener to San Francisco 6-3. Only five games remain.

Marte was absent from the lineup on Monday as he and club continues to manage his left ankle, which has left lingering discomfort following a high-ankle sprain that cost him the better part of August. He pinch hit on Monday but struck out in the eighth inning.

Torey Lovullo, Ketel Marte find understanding

The veteran said postgame he asked for the day off to be sharp for the final five games and potentially beyond. Manager Torey Lovullo appreciated Marte speaking up after Lovullo fell on the sword before first pitch, noting Marte was in a dangerous spot and overdue for a day off his feet.

“I just appreciated Ketel yesterday speaking up postgame, kind of had my back which I really appreciated,” Lovullo said. “When an athlete comes to me, and I’ve had an eight-year relationship with Ketel, and he says, ‘I need a day off tomorrow, I am not going to be any good and I’m going to hurt the team if I play tomorrow,’ how do you take that?

“I’m always going to protect the player, for sure … I’ll never come up here and slash a player ever, ever, ever. And I think Ketel knew that.”

Lovullo highlighted the understanding they have built over the years. The plan, Lovullo and Marte both said, is to be full-go the rest of the way with a smaller window for error in the Wild Card race than before.

The offense did not get a whole lot going without Marte, finishing Monday’s game with seven hits and eight men left on base. Kevin Newman, who started at second base, went 0-for-3.

Marte is back to hitting second behind Corbin Carroll on Tuesday.

Gabriel Moreno, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. jump back in

Moreno exited Sunday’s game with left adductor tightness, the same area at which a strain cost him nearly six weeks on the IL. After having an MRI and missing Monday’s game, Moreno is good to go. He was available off the bench Monday and will bat eighth on Tuesday.

Finally, Gurriel, who returned from a near-three-week IL stint on Friday, did not start Monday as they work him back from his calf strain. Gurriel is in left field and hitting fifth.

Tuesday’s batting order mimics Arizona’s likely postseason squad against a right-handed pitcher.

“You’re going to see us go full throttle,” Lovullo said. “These guys want to play the rest of the way. That was the agreement we had. We put that in place.”

Ryne Nelson an option for the weekend

Starter Ryne Nelson threw a bullpen at Chase Field on Tuesday as he nears his eligible return date from the IL (right shoulder inflammation). Merrill Kelly is starting on Friday against the San Diego Padres, and from there the D-backs have decisions to make for the last two games of the regular season based on Nelson’s availability to start or work from the bullpen.

“We’ll put it all into our search engine and find out what his pitch count is and where he’s at,” Lovullo said. “We’re still in discussions. I’ll let Nelly know, and then keep you guys informed.”

The decisions will be closer to finalized by the end of the Giants series on Wednesday.

Business as usual

Lovullo said the feel around the clubhouse has been pretty normal despite the urgency of the moment with the postseason so close.

He overheard the players marveling over what Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen accomplished for fantasy football and other everyday conversations from the team.

“Normal. I’m a veteran, and the excitement level is the same every day,” Marte said Monday.

“I don’t think it’s any different than it has been,” Jake McCarthy said Monday. “I think when you have that mentality every day, you don’t have to turn it on for this time of year.”

Lovullo said there were lessons learned from last season, when Arizona was in essentially the same spot in the final week. On this day in 2023, the D-backs had the second Wild Card spot and a half-game lead over the Chicago Cubs. The Miami Marlins were one game behind Chicago.

“We’re all curious about what’s going to happen day-by-day, but at the end of it, all we can control is what we’re doing in our space,” Lovullo said. “Want everybody to go out and be the best version of themselves … You can’t worry about Scenario A, Scenario B, Scenario C.”