Return to the Lineup
Ketel Marte was back at the ballpark Monday and in the starting lineup for the Arizona Diamondbacks, two weeks after the three-time All-Star’s unexpected no-show before a game in Boston left the team scrambling, as reported by the Associated Press. The 32-year-old second baseman was listed as the designated hitter batting cleanup for the Diamondbacks’ series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Apology and Accountability
Marte apologized to manager Torey Lovullo for how he handled the situation. Speaking through an interpreter, Marte said, “In that instance, I failed him by not showing up.” He added, “That morning I woke up, my body was in pain and I just couldn’t react. No one made the decision for me. I’m the one who made the decision to not show up.”
Fox News reported Marte saying through a translator, “I’m going to stand in front of my teammates like a man. I’m going to ask for forgiveness. We’re human, we all commit mistakes.” He also described the incident as “a moment of frustration” and reiterated that no one else made the decision for him.
Team Context and Reactions
Marte said he would address his teammates before Monday’s game. “I’m going to stand in front of my teammates like a man,” he said, as quoted by the Associated Press. “I don’t want any of my teammates to go through what I went through that morning.”
Arizona held a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the final National League wild card spot as they opened the series. Marte was hitting .249 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs this season, according to multiple reports.
Marte was initially placed on the restricted list after failing to show up in Boston, then moved to the 10-day injured list with mild inflammation in his left knee. His teammates have been mostly supportive over the past two weeks, though there has been some frustration about the timing of his absence, with the Diamondbacks trying to secure a playoff berth for the first time since 2023, as reported by the Associated Press.
Additional Details
Fox News reported that Lovullo said this is the fourth consecutive season Marte has missed a game without team authorization. Videos surfaced of Marte playing roulette at Talking Stick Casino in Scottsdale while he was on the injured list. When asked about the casino videos, Marte said, “I’ve been injured before, those are things that I do in my time,” according to Fox News. When asked if he had a message for Arizona fans, Marte offered silence and shook his head no.
Marte is under contract through 2031 with full no-trade protection, per Fox News.