BOSTON – Ketel Marte’s absence was impossible for the Arizona Diamondbacks to completely ignore. Even if the team attempted to move forward without its star second baseman, Corbin Carroll acknowledged that some players were thinking about Marte while preparing to play in Boston. “In full transparency, I think some part of some of the players were probably thinking about the guy,” Carroll said when asked whether Marte’s absence was a distraction. It was an unusually candid answer to an increasingly unusual situation.
Corbin Carroll reacts to the situation surrounding Ketel Marte:
Corbin Carroll when asked on @BurnsAndGambo if the Ketel Marte no-show in Boston yesterday was a distraction?
“In full transparency, I think some part of some of the players were probably thinking about the guy”— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) August 18, 2026
Marte was a no-show from the Diamondbacks’ activities in Boston before returning to Phoenix to undergo an MRI on his knee. Beyond that, relatively few details have emerged, leaving teammates, fans and observers to wonder about the severity of the issue and what it could mean moving forward.
Aug 31, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona left fielder Carroll (7) is congratulated by second baseman Marte (4) after crossing the plate a three-run home run during the eighth inning off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tanner Scott (66) at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
For Arizona, the uncertainty may be almost as difficult as the injury itself. Marte is more than a productive middle-of-the-order hitter. He is one of the central pieces of the Diamondbacks’ identity and a player whose presence changes how opposing teams approach Arizona’s lineup. Losing him, even temporarily, forces the club to adjust both strategically and psychologically. That is what made Carroll’s response particularly revealing.
Jun 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte (4) and right fielder Carroll (7) celebrate after a victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Rather than dismissing Marte’s absence or pretending it was business as usual, Carroll acknowledged what many teammates were likely feeling. His answer also demonstrated the type of support a player needs when dealing with an uncertain situation. The Diamondbacks still have games to play and a season to navigate. But Carroll’s comments served as an important reminder that baseball teams are not simply collections of statistics. They are groups of teammates who care about one another.
Jul 24, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) celebrates with right fielderCarroll (7) after hitting a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports © Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Until Marte’s MRI results and details of the situation provide clarity, the biggest takeaway may be simple: Arizona is waiting for answers just like everyone else, and Carroll made it clear Marte does not have to face that uncertainty alone.
Diamondbacks fans confused by Ketel Marte’s absence in Boston – Burn City Sports Phoenix Sports
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
