Arizona Diamondbacks player Ketel Marte refused to leave his Boston hotel room for a game against the Red Sox on Aug. 17 due to the impending loss of a close family member, according to a person close to Marte who was not authorized to speak publicly. The player's maternal grandmother died in the spring of 2025.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo stated that Marte's actions, which included retreating when frustrated, were a classic case of his personality. Lovullo expressed feeling let down by the player, describing it as "getting your heart ripped out by someone you really care about."
The team was aware of Marte's whereabouts and remained in contact with him through his agent. However, the team and his agent were uncertain if he would appear for the game. The Diamondbacks ultimately placed Marte on the restricted list without pay, recalling Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Reno. This was the second consecutive season Marte was placed on the restricted list.
Following the incident, Marte apologized to Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen in a meeting that included his agent. The team subsequently moved Marte from the restricted list to the injured list. He is eligible to come off the injured list on Monday.
Some teammates reportedly viewed Marte's appearance at an Arizona casino last week as a "slap in the face." However, Hazen indicated that the team prioritizes winning baseball games and balancing player issues with the need for production. Marte, a two-time Silver Slugger, has a .760 OPS with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs this season.