Report: D-backs 2B Ketel Marte continuing to frustrate segments of organization with absences

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has continued to frustrate segments of the organization for taking days off, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Marte missed the Diamondbacks’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The decision was a combination of Marte and Arizona’s medical staff due to lower back and hamstring issues, and they did not want to risk further injury, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

The Diamondbacks were shut out in a 7-0 loss to the Dodgers in a game where Los Angeles star Shohei Ohtani threw six scoreless frames with just two hits allowed and six strikeouts.

Marte returned to the lineup Thursday and hit a walk-off homer in a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers to split a four-game series. Marte commented after the game through a translator, addressing the previous day’s absence, saying, “We’re all human, and we all need a day here and there.”

Marte, who is starting at second base against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, has played in 60 of the 64 games the D-backs have played this season, just one behind Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo. Marte is on pace to play in 151 games, the most he’s played in since 2018 (153).

Marte’s absence was a talking point last season as there was some drama off the field due to absences and days-off requests around the All-Star break, which reportedly rubbed teammates the wrong way given the timing of the requests. He later apologized.

Following the season, Marte’s name popped up in trade talks throughout the offseason with several teams reportedly interested in acquiring the three-time All-Star. The D-backs later took Marte off the trade market.

Marte’s 10-and-5 rights (10 years in the MLB, five on the same team) in his contract kicked in on April 3, which gives him a full no-trade clause. He is under contract with the D-backs through 2031.

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