Hall: Ketel Marte has ‘explaining to do’ after casino visit, no-show

Ketel Marte personally targeted a Monday return date and is working hard on a knee issue that coincided with a no-show to a game last week when his Arizona Diamondbacks were in Boston to face the Red Sox.

That comes from D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall, who added Thursday on Bickley & Marotta that the team’s star second baseman is “in a tough spot” and has yet to address his teammates about his radio-silent absence.

Marte met with team officials last Thursday and received an MRI on his knee before he was spotted at Talking Stick Resort’s casino Friday. The night out came while the Diamondbacks were playing a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

“It was not a good look obviously, and it’s not something either of you or I would have done,” Hall told Bickley & Marotta on Thursday. “He’s got a lot to do. … He knows he’s got some explaining to do.”

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal gave more context to the Marte situation, adding that he is currently facing the death of a “close family member.”

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo has alluded to Marte being private and retreating when things are going bad — personally and in baseball. Rosenthal reported that one of Marte’s comments before he went AWOL stood out to a teammate.

Marte, according to the player, told some of his teammates, “You guys don’t need me. I’m not playing well. It doesn’t matter.”

In the past 30 days of action, Marte was slashing .214/353/.375. For the full season, he is statistically having his worst season since 2022 despite, for the most part, being healthy enough to play.

Behind the scenes, Marte’s disappearance has not landed well, even if the Diamondbacks believe in his talent. A few comments from anonymous players were included in Rosenthal’s story:

“Typical Ketel. Just leaving. It is what it is.”

…

But one teammate, granted anonymity for his candor, called (the casino visit), “a slap in the face.” Another said, “that was rubbing people’s noses in it.”

Hall declined to shut the door on more punishments heading Marte’s way for his actions but said the team has already dealt with the issue “sternly behind closed doors.”

And if Marte is indeed able to return on Monday when Arizona has a crucial series against the Phillies, who are also in the NL Wild Card race, Hall believes the Diamondbacks currently in the clubhouse will be able to accept an apology.

“I think (Diamondbacks teammates are) really over it,” Hall said. “You’ve seen that (going 5-2 in the last week). They’ve turned the page.

“Would they welcome him (back)? I believe they would. I know there’s going to be quotes and people are hurt right now … Why did he leave. Why at this time? And look at us playing without him. We also know we’re a much better team when he’s penciled in the lineup card.”

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