Arizona’s Diamondbacks welcomed back second baseman Ketel Marte to the active roster on Monday, marking his first appearance since August 16. Marte, 32, addressed reporters with the help of an interpreter and said he would apologize to manager Torey Lovullo and his teammates “like a man” for his unexplained absence during the team’s road series at Fenway Park.

Reason for the disappearance

Marte explained that a “moment of frustration” and sudden left‑knee inflammation prevented him from traveling to Boston on August 17. He said he woke up that morning with pain and made the personal decision not to report to the ballpark, acknowledging that his choice left the manager in the dark until just 20 minutes before game time.

Team response and roster moves

Following the no‑show, the Diamondbacks placed Marte on the restricted list and later moved him to the 10‑day injured list to address the knee issue. His agent met with Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen to discuss the situation and work toward a resolution.

First game back

Marte is slated to start Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies as the designated hitter, batting cleanup. He expressed a desire to stand before his teammates, ask for forgiveness, and move forward as a united club.

Past absences

This is not the first time Marte has missed games for personal reasons. After his home in Arizona was robbed on the night of the 2025 All‑Star Game, he traveled to his native Dominican Republic, missing the Diamondbacks’ first three games after the All‑Star break. He later apologized for that decision as well, noting that some teammates were unhappy with his departure.

Looking ahead

With Marte back in the lineup, the Diamondbacks hope to strengthen their offensive production as they continue their season. Fans in Arizona will be watching closely to see how the veteran infielder performs after his brief hiatus and whether his apology helps restore clubhouse harmony.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.