What do you do when one of your best players leaves you in the dark just 15 minutes before first pitch? That’s exactly what Ketel Marte did, leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks scrambling with no warning or explanation ahead of their game against the Boston Red Sox. This isn’t his first time leaving the team in the lurch, and now, the D’backs want accountability. This time, the call-out is coming straight from the CEO.
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“There is a bit of a history there, but we’re going to have to get explanations from him and apologies from him,” demanded D’backs CEO Derrick Hall on Bickley & Marotta, per Arizona Sports. “Hopefully, we can pick up the pieces and move on and turn the page.”
Marte was reportedly expected to be in Boston with the rest of the team, but when it was time to report to Fenway Park, he was nowhere to be found. The D’backs waited on him for 15 minutes before the first pitch before placing him on the restricted list. Then they lost the game 11-1.
Manager Lovullo revealed that he was trying to remain in constant touch with the player, but “very little was coming back.” At the time, the team was not sure if Marte was even in Boston. As Marte remained on the restricted list, the team again lost on Tuesday.
Finally, on Wednesday, the Diamondbacks heard back from Marte, or rather, his agent.
On behalf of the player, his agent issued a statement that cited “personal issues” and an MRI for a knee injury as the reasons behind his disappearance. Turns out Marte was no longer in Boston, but in Phoenix.
“Currently managing a personal matter and will be undergoing an MRI on his knee tomorrow. Ketel appreciates the unwavering support from fans, teammates, the Diamondbacks organization, and Torey Lovullo during this time. He remains optimistic about his recovery and looks forward to returning to the field to contribute to the team as soon as possible,” read the statement.
If you think the entire situation is bizarre, well, that’s what Derrick Hall thought too. In fact, he dubbed the situation a ‘complete mystery.’
“It’s still a complete mystery. It’s just bizarre,” Hall said. I was on the road with the team. I can tell you on Sunday night at the hotel in Boston, he appeared just fine. And then [Marte] was just a no-show, as you know. Just bizarre, and we’ve tried to get answers.”
Hall made clear that players must notify the team before missing the ballpark.
“Any player who has a responsibility to be at the ballpark needs to be there, unless it’s been prearranged,” Hall reportedly said.
“We’re not sure what (this situation) is, that’s why we want to hear what the results of the MRI are right away, and still, we need to know: ‘OK, if you were feeling sore, if you were hurting, why didn’t you go and have treatment?’ That’s what you do.”
Moreover, this hasn’t been a one-time fluke either; Ketel Marte has done this before.
Last year, right after the All-Star Game, he did not show up for a crucial series without prior notice. Later, he revealed that his house had been broken into and robbed. Multiple personal items were reportedly missing, alongside jewelry worth around $400,000. After returning, Marte apologized to the team.
That episode apparently created tension inside the clubhouse, with teammates unhappy about his absences and his behaviour in the weeks surrounding that incident. Marte later said that he had been rather frustrated and in a bad spot after the burglary at his Scottsdale residence.
The latest situation, moreover, comes with some uncomfortable history, particularly because Arizona committed heavily to Marte before the 2025 season.
Diamondbacks signed Marte to a six-year, $116.5 million contract extension before the 2025 campaign, making him one of the central pieces of the franchise’s future. Truth be told, the investment looked justified after Marte put together one of the best seasons of his career.
In 126 games, Marte slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs, 72 RBIs, a 145 wRC+ and 4.4 WAR. He was named first-team All-MLB for the second consecutive year and won his second Silver Slugger Award. But despite the production, Arizona made Marte available in trade discussions during the offseason.
The Red Sox, Rays and Mariners were among the teams reportedly interested. However, no deal materialised, and D’backs then pulled Marte off the trade block before the season began.
Now, another unexpected absence has put the spotlight firmly back on Marte. Latest reports now reveal that GM Mike Hazen met Marte on Thursday.
Following the meeting, Hazen told Nick Piecoro of AZ Central that Marte would be transferred to IL. Marte will resume playing once healthy.
After winning Wednesday’s game, the D’backs are now just one game behind the final Wild Card spot. They play the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.