Ketel Marte back in Diamondbacks' lineup, 2 weeks after no-show for game in Boston

For Tucson baseball fans, Ketel Marte’s return gives the Arizona Diamondbacks a major lineup boost at a crucial point in the season. Marte was back at the ballpark Monday and listed as the starting designated hitter, batting cleanup, after missing two weeks following his unexpected absence from a game against the Boston Red Sox. Arizona opened a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies holding a half game lead over the San Diego Padres for the National League’s final wild card position.

Marte, a three time All Star, has been one of Arizona’s most important offensive players. The 32 year old was batting .249 with 21 home runs and 67 runs batted in this season. His return comes as the Diamondbacks try to reach the postseason for the first time since 2023. For a team trying to protect a narrow margin in the standings, putting Marte back in the middle of the order could have an immediate effect on the club’s attempt to remain ahead of San Diego.

The circumstances surrounding his absence had remained unclear for much of the past two weeks. Marte did not appear at Fenway Park for Arizona’s Aug. 17 game against Boston, leaving the Diamondbacks to manage the situation without one of their top players. After the team’s 11 to 1 loss to the Red Sox, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Marte was dealing with a personal issue and that the organization was still trying to understand what had happened.

Marte was initially placed on Major League Baseball’s restricted list because he had not reported to the ballpark. The Diamondbacks later reinstated him from that list and placed him on the 10 day injured list after he returned to Arizona for an MRI. The team cited inflammation in his knee. Marte’s agent, Charisse Espinosa Dash, said he was dealing with a personal matter and would undergo the examination. She also said Marte appreciated the support from fans, teammates, Lovullo and the organization, and remained hopeful about returning to help the team.

Lovullo had indicated that the Diamondbacks wanted Marte back on the field. Asked whether the second baseman would play again for Arizona this season, the manager said the team needed him and described him as one of the National League’s best players. Marte’s eventual return followed a meeting in Phoenix involving the player, his agent, general manager Mike Hazen and Lovullo, according to the account of the team’s response.

On Monday, Marte offered a direct apology to Lovullo and accepted responsibility for not appearing at the Boston game. Speaking through an interpreter, he said he woke up that morning with pain throughout his body and felt unable to react. He emphasized that no one else had made the decision for him and said he was responsible for choosing not to show up. He also said he planned to address his teammates before the game, promising to stand before them and explain himself.

The episode has created a difficult balance for Arizona. Marte’s teammates have generally supported him during his absence, although there was also frustration about the timing because the club is fighting for a playoff berth. The team’s need for his production and the questions surrounding his decision to miss the game have unfolded at the same time, putting attention on both his health and his relationship with the clubhouse.

This was not the first time Marte had been away from the Diamondbacks under unusual circumstances. Last season, he missed three games after his Scottsdale home was burglarized during the All Star break. Police investigated what was described as a high dollar residential burglary, and Marte returned to the Dominican Republic before apologizing to the team for missing time. That earlier incident has become part of the context surrounding the latest absence, although the organization initially provided few details about the current personal matter.

With Marte back in the lineup, Arizona can turn its attention toward the immediate schedule and the tight wild card race. The Diamondbacks’ three game series with Philadelphia began Monday, and the team was scheduled to open a three game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Chase Field on Friday. For fans across Arizona, including those following the club from Tucson, the return of a veteran star offers a clearer picture of the roster as the Diamondbacks try to secure their first postseason appearance in three years.