Rumors have continued to swirl around Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, but his manager is pushing back.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently reported that there was renewed “internal frustration” with the three-time All Star.
Marte has faced criticism for an unexcused absence in the Dominican Republic last season, after which reports surfaced about frustration surrounding his tendency to seek off days.
These rumors were reinvigorated after Marte didn’t play against the Dodgers with Shohei Ohtani on the mound, citing lower back and hamstring tightness.
Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo strongly defended Marte on Tuesday amidst the reported criticism.
“I can wholeheartedly tell you that Ketel Marte has been an unbelievable player for the Arizona Diamondbacks for a long period of time,” Lovullo told reporters.
“There are days off that are needed. They are fairly scripted, and we ask for his input. When the athlete gives his input, we’re going to listen. But there’s this underlying theme that he’s not a good teammate, and it’s pulling at the fabric of the clubhouse chemistry, which is not true at all.”
“What I ask that stops is that theme that something is wrong in our clubhouse or something is not right in our clubhouse because of Ketel Marte,” he added. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s been a great teammate, a great human being, a great husband, a great father, and he happens to be one of the best players in the National League. That’s what I’m going to focus on.”
Marte has played in 61 games this season, second-most on his team behind Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo who have played 62.
Marte’s history with soft-tissue injuries could also explain why he requires days off. Even if there have been instances of frustration, it is not affecting the clubhouse, according to the manager.
Though Marte has had a lukewarm start to the season, his offensive potential is very valuable to a Diamondbacks team that, at 34-31 and second in the NL West, has playoff aspirations.
Marte is slashing .246/.300/.443 with 11 home runs thus far this season.
