Add The New York Post on Google Ketel Marte apologized for going AWOL and creating days’ worth of drama around the Diamondbacks in his first public comments after all of it went down two weeks ago.
Marte no-showed a Diamondbacks game in Boston, sending the team scrambling and raising questions about his status, with skipper Torey Lovullo expressing frustration over the lack of communication with his player during the peculiar situation.
“In that instance, I failed him by not showing up,” Marte told reporters through an interpreter on Monday, according to the Associated Press. “That morning I woke up, my body was in pain and I just couldn’t react. No one made the decision for me. I’m the one who made the decision to not show up.”
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte throws during infield practice prior to a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Phoenix. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin The Diamondbacks second baseman also planned on standing in front of his teammates and apologizing to them for everything that has happened with the situation.
“I’m going to stand in front of my teammates like a man,” Marte said. “I don’t want any of my teammates to go through what I went through that morning.”
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) runs to the dugout during a game at Truist Park on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Cumberland, Georgia. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Marte told reporters that the decision to skip the game was his and he made it after waking up in significant pain and was frustrated.
“We’re human, we all commit mistakes,” he said.
The Diamondbacks had initially put Marte on the restricted list after he failed to show up for the game in Boston but later moved him to the 10-day injured list due to mild left knee inflammation.
The situation did have some bizarre twists and turns leading up to Monday night.
Amidst all the confusion surrounding his absence, Marte was spotted gambling at Talking Stick Resort casino near the team’s complex during the ball club’s Aug. 21 game.
Lovullo told reporters at the time that Marte was “free to do whatever he wants” and defended is player.
Addressing that moment, Marte said he had been at the casino on his “personal time.”
