08/31/26 07:08:00
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08/31 19:07 CDT Ketel Marte is back in Diamondbacks' lineup, 2 weeks after
no-show for game in Boston
Ketel Marte is back in Diamondbacks' lineup, 2 weeks after no-show for game in
Boston
By DAVID BRANDT
AP Baseball Writer
PHOENIX (AP) --- 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.
The exact reasons for his head-scratching absence are still a little vague.
Marte addressed the media before Monday night's game against the Philadelphia
Phillies and apologized to manager Torey Lovullo for the way he handled the
situation, which has turned into a sizable distraction as the Diamondbacks
attempt to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023.
"In that instance, I failed (Lovullo) by not showing up," Marte said through an
interpreter. "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."
Marte was initially put on the restricted list after failing to show up for the
game in Boston, but then moved to the 10-day injured list with mild
inflammation in his left knee. The D-backs went 7-6 during his absence.
The 32-year-old Marte --- who was listed as the designated hitter batting
cleanup Monday --- should restore some punch to an inconsistent lineup. Arizona
held a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the final National League
wild card as it opened an important three-game series against the Phillies.
Marte was hitting .249 with 21 homers and 67 RBIs this season. He said he would
address his teammates before Monday's game.
"I'm going to stand up in front of them and ask for forgiveness," Marte said.
"We're human --- we all commit mistakes."
Marte's teammates have been mostly supportive of the second baseman, though
there has been some frustration about the timing of his absence, which has come
in the middle of a postseason push.
There have also been concerns about how he's handled the situation. While the
Diamondbacks were in the middle of a 9-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Aug.
21, there were pictures circulating on social media showing him at a casino.
Marte didn't apologize for the casino trip and also said he had no message for
Diamondbacks fans.
"I've been injured before," Marte said. "Those are things I do in my personal
time."
This wasn't the first time Marte had a strange disappearance.
Last season, he went on the restricted list when his home in Arizona was broken
into during the All-Star break. He missed three games after flying back to his
home in the Dominican Republic and later apologized for his absence.
Lovullo has repeatedly defended Marte over their 10-year relationship, despite
admitting he felt "betrayed" by the second baseman's actions in Boston.
"It's something that's a work in progress," Lovullo said. "I think he told you
he's human, he's not perfect. We all have bad moments and bad days --- things
we regret. For him to come up here and tell you that, I know it wasn't easy.
"This is as much progress as I've seen him make."
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