The Arizona Diamondbacks’ trip out east ended with one more odd twist Wednesday night, and it had nothing to do with what happened on the field.
After their 7-6 extra-inning win over the Boston Red Sox, the D-Backs boarded their charter in Boston expecting to head back to Phoenix. Instead, a storm in the Phoenix area kept them from landing. According to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert, the plane circled for about an hour before the crew diverted to Las Vegas to refuel and time out.
That left Arizona spending the night in Las Vegas, with Gilbert reporting the team would make its way to Arizona Thursday morning.
The unscheduled stop was just the latest surprise in a week that already felt off-script. It started Monday night, when Ketel Marte was suddenly unavailable just before first pitch. The All-Star second baseman was later placed on the restricted list, and no public reason was given for his absence as he headed back to Phoenix.
Arizona had to play the first two games of the series without Marte and dropped both before finally breaking through Wednesday to avoid the sweep.
Even with the strange circumstances piling up, the Diamondbacks still remain in the middle of the National League playoff chase. They’ll now return home carrying the momentum of that extra-inning win and trying to settle back into a normal rhythm as their next home series begins.
After a week like this, getting back to Phoenix probably feels overdue.
In Other News...
Mike Hazen Finally Addresses Ketel Martes Sudden Absence
Ketel Martes absence from the Diamondbacks series opener against the Red Sox left an immediate hole in the lineup and, just as important, raised questions about how the club would handle the situation behind the scenes. His agent said Marte was away because of personal issues, and general manager Mike Hazen made clear the organization is trying to balance support for Marte with the day-to-day demands of staying competitive and keeping the roster steady.
Hazen said he has been in contact with Marte by text and expects to sit down with him in person later this week, a sign the team is still gathering the full picture while trying not to let the uncertainty spill onto the field. For now, the Diamondbacks are focused on the players available to them and on managing the absence without letting it become a distraction, even as Martes return remains an open question. [Read more 🡒]
Ketel Marte's Absence Is Becoming A Serious Diamondbacks Problem
The Diamondbacks have already had enough to juggle in August, with Merrill Kellys uneven stretch on the mound adding to the pressure as they try to stay in the playoff chase. Even amid that, Justin Martinezs return to pitching in a rough game offered a small reminder that help can still arrive from inside the roster, but the bigger issue hovering over the club has been the absence of Ketel Marte.
Martes situation has become a real distraction for Arizona at a time when every game seems to matter a little more. His absence has left a noticeable hole in the lineup and in the clubs daily focus, and with the playoff race tightening, the Diamondbacks are waiting for more clarity on a situation that has already stretched beyond just on-field concerns. [Read more 🡒]
Diamondbacks Need A Response In Boston After Historic Offensive Frustration
The Diamondbacks arrive in Boston looking for a reset after a stretch that has put plenty of strain on both sides of the ball. Their pitching staff has allowed 20 runs over the last two games, and after a rough opening to the trip, a win today would still leave them at .500 on the road swing. It is the kind of spot where a lineup card matters, but only because Arizona needs something cleaner and more convincing than what it has shown lately.
What lingers most, though, is the offenses latest missed chance. Arizona set a franchise record by going 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position in its recent game, the highest such total in MLB for 2026, a brutal night that turned every empty opportunity into part of the postgame conversation. Against the Red Sox, the Diamondbacks have a chance to move past that frustration, but only if they start cashing in the sort of situations that have been slipping away. [Read more 🡒]