UPDATE: Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte issued a heartfelt apology on Monday, addressing his recent absence from the team amid growing criticism. Marte missed three critical games after the All-Star break, returning briefly to his home in the Dominican Republic due to personal circumstances that have sparked controversy within the clubhouse.
Marte, 31, expressed his frustration over the burglary of his residence in Scottsdale, Arizona, which he discovered upon his return. “I was in a bad spot,” he admitted through an interpreter, as tensions mounted during a crucial stretch of games for the D-backs, who are fighting for playoff positioning ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
The D-backs initially placed Marte on the restricted list for the first two games of his absence, yet he did not play in a third game after rejoining the team. This decision raised eyebrows among fans and teammates, with reports indicating that some players were frustrated by his behavior over the past month. The team’s performance has mirrored the unease, as they hold a disappointing 60-65 record amidst high expectations for the season.
Marte, who has missed a total of 33 games this year due to injury, emphasized that he is adhering to a training plan designed to maintain his health. “I know there’s a lot of talk, but I’m focused on winning,” he stated, acknowledging the “elephant in the room” regarding his absences.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo praised Marte for his courage in addressing the situation. “I’m proud of him for showing vulnerability,” Lovullo said. “He’s a great teammate, a hard worker, and he just wants to win baseball games.”
Arizona won all three games that Marte missed against the St. Louis Cardinals, but the team struggled upon his return, losing nine of ten games, which led management to make significant trades at the deadline. The organization sent Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor to the Seattle Mariners, Randal Grichuk to the Kansas City Royals, and Merrill Kelly to the Texas Rangers.
Despite the turmoil, Marte is having a stellar season, batting .297 with 23 home runs and 56 RBIs. A key player since joining the D-backs in 2017, his contributions were vital during the team’s unexpected run to the World Series in 2023.
As the D-backs aim to salvage their season, all eyes will be on Marte and how he responds to the mounting pressure. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if he can lead his team back into contention in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Diamondbacks navigate this critical point in their season.