PHOENIX — Over the last several seasons, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has viewed his relationship with Ketel Marte through the lens of protection.
Apr 13, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) walks on the field during a pitch change in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
After agreeing to a new two-year contract with the club Thursday, questions immediately turned to what Lovullo’s return would mean for the team’s future, particularly when it comes to Marte.
Lovullo has defended Marte when questions arose about his absences, explained his decisions and, at times, become visibly emotional on the All-Star’s behalf. But after what happened this season, the D-Backs manager says he is changing the way he handles those situations.
“I think what I would tell [Marte] is I would tell every other player that the decisions you make are going to be on you now, and I’m going to eliminate protecting you the way I have,” Lovullo said to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro. “And I will allow you to go out there and answer the questions on your own behalf.”
Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte (4) celebrates scoring with manager Torey Lovullo against the Rockies during a game at Chase Field. Credits: Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
The change comes after Marte’s latest absence became a major storyline during Arizona’s postseason push. The second baseman did not show up for the team’s Aug. 17 game at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, leaving Lovullo, the front office and his teammates with little information.
The Diamondbacks placed Marte on the restricted list, and he later went on the injured list with left knee inflammation. Marte eventually acknowledged that he made the decision not to show up after waking up in pain and apologized for failing to communicate with the team.
The situation became personal for Lovullo. He said he felt “betrayed” by the lack of communication and said that the episode caught him by surprise. That was not the first time Lovullo had been put in the position of defending Marte during a season in which the D-Backs were fighting for something.
Aug 31, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Ketel Marte reacts after grounding out in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In 2025, Marte missed the first three games after the All-Star break after his Arizona home was burglarized while he was away at the All-Star Game. Marte remained in the Dominican Republic and later apologized to his teammates for not returning as planned. Lovullo was also emotional that June after a fan shouted a comment about Marte’s late mother toward him during a game in Chicago.
Then, in 2024, Marte asked for a day off with six games remaining and Arizona in the middle of a playoff race. It was a day after they suffered a brutal loss to the Milwaukee Brewers after leading 8-0, and would eventually be eliminated from the playoffs in a tiebreaker.
There was another episode in 2023, when Marte didn’t report to Yankee Stadium for a game during another Arizona playoff push. Marte believed the game would be postponed because of weather and stayed at the hotel.
Jun 9, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Ketel Marte (4) talks with manager Torey Lovullo (17) prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Each incident had its own circumstances, but the repeated questions surrounding Marte have created another storyline for a team trying to keep its focus on baseball.
Now, after years of answering for Marte and trying to shield him from the critics, Lovullo says that burden will shift onto the second baseman.
“I’ve taken the mindset that whenever anything goes wrong, it’s my fault,” Lovullo said. “And I’m going to protect these players like they’re my own boys, and at a certain point, I can’t do that anymore.”
“The decisions you make are on you now, and I’m going to eliminate protecting you the way I have.”
Torey Lovullo discusses what he would change in regards to managing Ketel Marte.
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Lovullo doesn’t seem like he’ll abandon Marte altogether. Instead, he’s changing the boundaries of their relationship and asking his star second baseman to take greater ownership when his decisions become part of the story.
“So I have to allow them to advocate for themselves in the proper space,” Lovullo said. “And that’s what I’ve learned over the past couple of years.”
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Torey Lovullo is back with the Diamondbacks, but fans have mixed feelings
