Diamondbacks’ Confusion Surrounding Ketel Marte’s Absence

There’s quite a bit of uncertainty regarding Ketel Marte and the Diamondbacks, and manager Tory Lovullo didn’t really clarify things during a press conference before Arizona’s matchup with the Red Sox.

According to reports, Marte is heading back to Arizona for an MRI on his left knee. However, he himself seemed unsure if this was related to his absence from Monday’s game.

When Lovullo spoke to reporters, he mentioned he “was told” Marte returned to Phoenix for a checkup but quickly added, “I’m not sure of that.” It appeared he was a bit hesitant about the information.

With Marte not available on Monday, the team put him on the restricted list for what they described as a “personal matter.” Lovullo expressed that he attempted to connect with Marte on Tuesday but hadn’t heard from him, leaving him “a little bit” surprised by the lack of communication.

He emphasized their close relationship, describing it as “probably like a father and son.” This makes the situation more concerning for Lovullo, who just wants to support Marte. “When he’s ready, he’ll reach out,” he noted.

Marte had missed a weekend game against the Braves due to knee soreness but did play on Sunday and traveled with the team to Boston.

Diamondbacks shortstop Gerardo Perdomo also commented, stating he had no real knowledge of Marte’s situation. He mentioned that he’d only sent a message checking on Marte’s knee, wanting to avoid causing any issues for him.

A three-time MLB All-Star, Marte is currently batting .249 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs this season. Lovullo expressed hope that Marte would return at some point this season, affirming the team’s need for him and calling him “one of the best players in the National League.”

This isn’t the first time Marte has been placed on the restricted list; he was on the list last season after returning to the Dominican Republic, missing three games at that time.