Ketel Marte Eyes Monday Return After No-Show, Faces Scrutiny Over Casino Visit

3 articles · Updated · Arizona Sports · Aug 27

Monday is the return date Marte is targeting, but Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said the second baseman still has not addressed teammates after his radio-silent absence and has "some explaining to do."
An MRI on Marte's knee followed a meeting with team officials last Thursday, then he was seen at Talking Stick Resort's casino Friday while Arizona was playing Cincinnati — a sequence Hall called "not a good look."
Anonymous teammates told The Athletic the episode "did not land well," with one calling the casino visit "a slap in the face," though Hall said the club already handled the matter sternly behind closed doors.
Hall said Arizona's clubhouse has largely moved on during a 5-2 week and would likely accept an apology, especially with a crucial Phillies series looming in the NL wild-card race.
Rosenthal reported Marte is dealing with the death of a close family member; on the field, he has hit .214/.353/.375 over the past 30 days in his worst season since 2022.