The Arizona Diamondbacks entered the weekend in a better position than they had been since the first pitch of Game 1 of the 2023 World Series. Their chances of winning the second championship in franchise history never looked better.

After rattling off a streak of 18 wins in 21 games, the Diamondbacks were swept in a three-game series by the Tampa Bay Rays, losing twice in walk-off fashion.

Sunday, the Diamondbacks added a dose of injury to insult.

Second baseman Ketel Marte, on a shortlist of frontrunners for the NL Most Valuable Player award, suffered a sprained ankle when he fell awkwardly swinging and missing as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning Sunday.

On Monday, the Diamondbacks placed Marte on the 10-day injured list.

Marte, who made his second All-Star team this season, is hitting .298 with a .370 on-base percentage and .560 slugging percentage. He’s hit 30 home runs and driven in 81, while ranking first in Baseball Reference’s version of Wins Above Replacement (6.2).

Replays of the play suggest the injury was among the flukiest you’ll see on a baseball field.

Arizona Diamondbacks Christian Walker Ketel Marte
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 25: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with Christian Walker #53 after hitting a two run home run during the first inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins…


Chris Coduto/Getty Images

More to come on this story.