Overview
- Marte failed to show for the Diamondbacks’ Aug. 17 game at Fenway Park and was put on MLB’s restricted list before an MRI later revealed left-knee inflammation and the club moved him to the 10-day injured list.
- Arizona activated Marte for the Aug. 31 series opener and he addressed reporters and teammates, calling his no-show a “moment of frustration” and saying he will apologize to the clubhouse.
- Team leaders met in recent days—manager Torey Lovullo, GM Mike Hazen and veteran players including Nolan Arenado and Corbin Carroll—and signaled they would welcome Marte back to improve the club’s playoff chances.
- Public scrutiny intensified after social-media photos showed Marte at a local casino during his absence, and Lovullo described Marte as a “complex” player who has had similar unapproved absences in prior seasons.
- The Diamondbacks’ ability to punish or trade Marte is limited by his multiyear contract and 10-and-5 no-trade protections, and the club also faced roster-process effects because time on the restricted list prevented backdating the IL stint.