PHOENIX – The dust of the Ketel Marte drama hasn’t quite settled yet, though it might be over soon after Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo’s comments.
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Jul 6, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Lovullo (17) congratulates second base Marte (4) after making the All-star game in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
One of the biggest headlines recently surrounding the Diamondbacks was that some members of the locker room and the Arizona front office have been frustrated with star second baseman Ketel Marte for taking time off during a pivotal stretch of the season.
#DBacks manager Torey Lovullo at his pregame presser and wanted to “address the elephant in the room” saying Ketel Marte is a good teammate and just wants to win games. @azfamily pic.twitter.com/SUvVepZ2nb
— Julia Lopez (@JuliaLopez3) August 18, 2025
Diamondbacks manager Lovullo watches his team play against the Royals during a game in Phoenix, at Chase Field on July 5, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Torey Lovullo has been unwavering in his support of Marte. Known for being a player’s manager, Lovullo immediately came to the aid of their star second baseman. One of the few things Lovullo and Marte can agree on is that the Diamondbacks would like to move on from the noise surrounding them. It’s more of putting it in the rearview, so that the Diamondbacks can focus on possibly getting a wildcard berth.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo praises Ketel Marte’s work ethic and wants the criticism of Martinez inside the organization put to rest.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 18, 2025
Ketel Marte’s impact for Arizona moving forward:
The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently 6.5 games out of a wildcard spot, and were recently on a winning streak until this drama occurred, leading to the Diamondbacks dropping three out of four games the past weekend against the Colorado Rockies. Arizona Manager Torey Lovullo has shared the same sentiment as Marte, as they both, “just want to win baseball games.”
Jun 9, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Marte (4) talks with manager Lovullo (17) prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Having a player’s back like Lovullo has done is nothing new, as he has shown time after time that when the going gets tough with outside noise weighing down on them, they are still able to focus on the goal ahead.
Ketel Marte responds to criticism, emphasizes dedication to D-Backs
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
