PHOENIX – Ketel Marte addressed the media after his decision not to show up for the first game of Arizona’s series against the Boston Red Sox became a major source of frustration. He admitted he was frustrated, didn’t want to talk about what he was dealing with, and ultimately made the decision himself after waking up with his body in pain per Arizona Sports.
Jun 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) at bat during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Ketel Marte talks about his no-show in Boston:
“I get along really well with Torey (Lovullo). In that instance, I failed him by not showing up.”
Ketel Marte, through an interpreter, addresses the media for the first time since his absence. The Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman said there was a lot of frustration and he… pic.twitter.com/d5x9jTllnF
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) August 31, 2026
More importantly, Marte didn’t dodge accountability. He acknowledged that he failed Torey Lovullo in that moment while emphasizing that he has a strong relationship with his manager. That might be one of the most important things Arizona Diamondbacks fans heard from him before his return to the lineup.
May 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) reacts after hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
After a two week absence from the D-backs, Ketel Marte [through a translator] says he will face his teammates today like a man, and that he is human, and hopes they’ll understand that we all make mistakes.
He also says he’s doing “very well” both physically and mentally. pic.twitter.com/NIk51xQahs
— Nick King (@NickKingSports) August 31, 2026
Fans have every right to be frustrated. When a team is fighting through a postseason race, seeing its franchise player suddenly unavailable can feel like abandonment. Marte has spent roughly a decade in Arizona and has established himself as one of the faces of the franchise. That history doesn’t excuse missing a game, but it provides critical context for understanding the player behind the decision.
Sep 9, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Arizona infielder Ketel Marte (4) looks on before batting against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Nobody knows Marte’s body better than Marte, and nobody benefits more from a healthy, productive Marte being in the lineup than the Diamondbacks. The bigger story isn’t whether Marte made the right decision in Boston; it’s whether Arizona can move forward without allowing one mistake to become a season-defining controversy. The Diamondbacks don’t need Marte to be perfect; they need him healthy, accountable and producing when the games matter most.
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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
