Brief

Diamondbacks owner and manager criticize Ketel Marte’s repeated absences

Kendrick and Lovullo say Marte must take responsibility after a fourth unexplained absence in four years.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:28:22 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick and manager Torey Lovullo said on Oct. 3 that second baseman Ketel Marte’s repeated unexplained absences reflect “consistent acts of immaturity.”

What happened

Marte missed a three‑game series at Fenway Park from Aug. 17‑19 without notifying the team. The club placed him on the 10‑day injured list, and he returned on Aug. 31. It was the fourth time in four years that Marte was absent without the organization’s knowledge.

What the reports add

The New York Post article notes that Marte finished the season batting .249 with 22 home runs, 76 RBIs and a .748 OPS in 141 games, as the Diamondbacks fell two games short of the NL wild‑card.

What was said

Lovullo told the “Burns & Gambo Show” on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, “I think what I would tell him is what I would tell every other player: the decisions you make are going to be on you now… I’m going to eliminate protecting you the way I have.”

Kendrick told Bruno and Gambo, “It is not my job to micromanage the players. It is Torey’s job to manage the players… I hope he will overcome his consistent acts of immaturity.”

How it came about

The comments came after the Diamondbacks announced a two‑year contract extension for Lovullo on Thursday, prompting questions about how the club will handle Marte in 2027.

Key facts

Ketel Marte missed a three‑game series at Fenway Park from Aug. 17‑19 without informing the team. (nypost.com)
Marte was placed on the 10‑day injured list and returned on Aug. 31. (nypost.com)
It was the fourth AWOL incident for Marte in four years. (nypost.com)
Marte finished the season batting .249 with 22 HR, 76 RBI, .748 OPS in 141 games. (nypost.com)
Owner Ken Kendrick and manager Torey Lovullo publicly criticized Marte’s behavior. (nypost.com)