The dynamic between Ketel Marte and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo seems to have hit a rough patch, especially after Marte’s tumultuous season, which included an unannounced absence from the team in August.
Following a two-year contract extension announced for Lovullo, the manager shared his approach for handling Marte moving into 2027 during an appearance on the “Burns & Gambo Show” on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
“I think what I would tell him is what I would tell every other player: the decisions you make are going to be on you now,” Lovullo stated. “I’m going to stop protecting you as I have in the past. You’ll need to face the questions on your own instead of having me shield you. I think I’d shift my approach like that.”
He went on to express a long-held mindset that he should take the blame whenever things go awry, emphasizing his protective instinct towards his players. “At some point, I can’t do that anymore. I need to let them speak for themselves in the right context. It’s a lesson I’ve learned over recent years,” Lovullo added.
This season, Marte had a batting average of .249, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 76 RBIs across 141 games, as the Diamondbacks finished just short of the National League’s wild-card spot, trailing the Phillies by two games.
However, his absence during a series at Fenway Park from August 17-19 was a notable incident, where he failed to inform Lovullo or the front office about his non-attendance.
The team subsequently placed Marte on the 10-day injured list, and he returned on August 31. This incident marked the fourth occasion in four years where he went missing without notice.
Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick commented on the situation, indicating that it is the manager’s responsibility to oversee players. “He’s stating his position clearly now, and I hope that if Ketel remains with us, he will realize his potential and leave behind these immature behaviors,” Kendrick shared.
He acknowledged some past positive performances from Marte but stressed the need for these lapses in judgment to stop. “The manager holds primary responsibility for the players after the general manager makes selections. We need to see improvement here.”
Upon returning, the 32-year-old Marte expressed regret to Lovullo and his teammates, attributing his absence to “a moment of frustration.”
“I’m not the kind of person who discusses my problems when they arise,” Marte explained through an interpreter on August 31. “That morning, I woke up feeling pain, and it was hard to react. It was my choice not to show up.”
If the team considers trading Marte during the offseason, he has 10-5 veto rights with a contract that extends through 2031.
