Lovullo Breaks Silence: Marte Injury Bombshell Shakes D-Backs vs Reds
Diamondbacks and Ketel Marte: What Happened and What’s Next
A Simple Guide to the Drama, the Injury, and the Road Back
The Big Story: Ketel Marte’s Mysterious Absence
Imagine your star player—one of the best on the team—simply doesn’t show up for a game. No call, no text, no warning. That’s exactly what happened with Ketel Marte, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ star second baseman, on Monday, August 17, 2026. The team was in Boston to play the Red Sox, and Marte was nowhere to be found.
This kicked off a whirlwind week of confusion, frustration, and finally, a face-to-face meeting to clear the air.
Key Takeaway
Marte missed a game without telling anyone, then landed on the injured list with a knee issue. The team met with him and his agent, both sides admitted they could have communicated better, and now the focus is on getting him healthy and back on the field.
Timeline of Events: How It All Went Down
- August 14 – Marte leaves a game against the Atlanta Braves early due to left knee soreness.
- August 15 – He sits out the next game.
- August 16 – Marte returns to the lineup and plays.
- August 17 (Monday) – Marte does NOT show up at Fenway Park for the game vs. the Boston Red Sox. The team places him on the restricted list (a list for players who aren’t with the team for non-injury reasons).
- August 18–19 – Manager Torey Lovullo tries to reach Marte multiple times. No response.
- August 20 (Thursday) – Marte undergoes an MRI and gets a knee injection. He’s moved from the restricted list to the 10-day injured list (IL).
- August 21 (Friday) – Lovullo and General Manager Mike Hazen meet with Marte and his agent. They talk it out.
- August 21 (Later) – Marte begins a rehab program at Salt River Fields (the team’s training facility in Arizona).
The Meeting: Clearing the Air
On Friday, Lovullo told reporters the meeting was honest and necessary.
“We were able to say things that we needed to say to one another,” Lovullo said.
“We are going to turn the page on this as quickly as possible.”
What Happened in the Meeting?
- Marte admitted he could have handled the situation better—especially his lack of communication.
- Lovullo admitted he could have communicated better too, especially when Marte was dealing with knee pain the previous weekend.
- Both sides agreed: “There are right ways and wrong ways to handle things… we could have been better.”
What the Manager Said: Lovullo’s Perspective
Lovullo didn’t share every detail, but he gave us a pretty clear picture:
| Topic | What Lovullo Said |
|---|---|
| Why Marte disappeared | “Maybe a little bit of frustration built around the injury.” He hopes Marte will explain it himself someday. |
| Communication breakdown | “I need to probably communicate a little bit better… sometimes I fall short.” |
| Marte’s workload | “Ketel has been busting hard. He’s played a lot of baseball games this year… I think he got tired; he got frustrated.” |
| Moving forward | Focus is on getting Marte physically healthy and mentally right so he can help the team win. |
| Apology to teammates? | On a radio show, Lovullo said he’d like Marte to apologize. But at the press conference, he didn’t repeat that demand. |
What the Players Think: Clubhouse Reactions
The clubhouse was quiet when reporters visited—many players weren’t around. But those who spoke had mixed feelings:
-
Kevin Ginkel (Reliever) – Most thoughtful take:
“It’s disappointing how the things that happened happened. There’s really no explanation for it.”
He’d like to hear from Marte, but says “first and foremost it’s him getting his knee right and mentally being in a good place.”
“For us to go where we want to go, we’ve got to have him here.” -
Ryan Waldschmidt (Outfielder) – Welcoming:
“I would welcome Marte back whenever Marte was ready.”
- Nolan Arenado (Third Baseman) – No comment.
Marte’s Injury and Return Plan
The Injury
- Left knee soreness → MRI → Injection → 10-day Injured List (IL) as of August 20.
The Rehab Plan
- Started Friday, August 21 at Salt River Fields.
- If all goes well, he’ll spend the minimum 10 days on the IL.
- Earliest possible return: August 31 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field.
ELI5: What’s the Injured List (IL)?
It’s like a “timeout” for hurt players. They don’t count against the active roster, so the team can call up a replacement. The 10-day IL means the player must sit out at least 10 days before returning.
Other Injury Updates Around the Team
The Diamondbacks have a full training room right now. Here’s who’s working their way back:
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (OF) | Not specified | Playing in Triple-A Reno (getting at-bats & outfield reps) |
| Drey Jameson (P) | Hip | Threw 1⅔ innings Wed, pitches again Sun, Aug 23 at Reno |
| Blake Walston (P) | Elbow | On rehab at Reno, 6th appearance Sun, Aug 23 |
| Corbin Burnes (SP) | Right elbow surgery | Threw 20 pitches to live hitters Fri – first time in rehab! Next: 2 innings, 35 pitches Tue, Aug 25 at Salt River Fields |
| Zac Gallen (SP) | Elbow inflammation | Bullpen session Sat, Aug 22 |
| Tommy Troy (OF) | Not specified | Faced Burnes Fri, facility game Sat |
| Ryne Nelson (RP) | Strained elbow | 25-pitch bullpen Fri, next Tue, Aug 25 |
| Ryan Thompson (RP) | Lower back & hip | Seeing a specialist |
Note: SP = Starting Pitcher, RP = Relief Pitcher, OF = Outfielder
Upcoming Games to Watch
The Diamondbacks are home at Chase Field for a key series:
| Date | Time (MT) | Matchup | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 22 | 5:10 PM | Michael Soroka (8-3, 2.93) vs. Rhett Lowder (4-8, 5.17) | Cox, Ch. 34 |
| Sun, Aug 23 | 1:15 PM | Mitch Bratt (1-2, 4.17) vs. Andrew Abbott (6-7, 4.07) | Cox, Ch. 34 |
| Mon, Aug 24 | 6:40 PM | Merrill Kelly (8-11, 5.37) vs. Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.58) | Cox, Ch. 34 |
ELI5: What do those numbers mean?
(Wins-Losses, ERA) – ERA = Earned Run Average. Lower is better. It shows how many runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings.
Summary
- Ketel Marte went missing on August 17 → team put him on restricted list.
- Turns out his knee was hurt → MRI + injection → moved to 10-day IL on August 20.
- Manager and GM met with Marte & his agent on August 21 → both sides admitted communication failures.
- Marte started rehab same day → could return around August 31 if knee responds well.
- Teammates are frustrated but supportive – they know they need him to win.
- Several other key players are also rehabbing – Burnes, Gallen, Jameson, Walston, Nelson, Thompson, Gurriel Jr.
- Big home series vs. Reds starts Saturday – Soroka, Bratt, Kelly on the mound.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why was Marte put on the "restricted list" first, not the injured list?
The restricted list is for players who aren’t with the team for non-medical reasons (personal issues, visa problems, or—like here—unexcused absence). Once the MRI confirmed a real injury, they moved him to the IL.
2. What’s the difference between the restricted list and the injured list?
- Restricted List: Player doesn’t count toward roster, doesn’t get paid, no set return timeline.
- Injured List (IL): Player doesn’t count toward roster, still gets paid, must stay at least 10 days (for 10-day IL).
3. Did Marte get in trouble or fined?
The article doesn’t say. The team focused on “turning the page” and fixing communication. No mention of discipline.
4. When will Corbin Burnes be back in the rotation?
He’s early in rehab—just threw to live hitters for the first time Friday. Next step: 2 innings Tuesday. He’ll need several more outings (likely in minors) before rejoining the big club. Probably September at earliest.
5. Can the Diamondbacks make the playoffs without Marte?
They’re better with him—he’s an All-Star caliber player. But they’ve got depth, and other stars (like Gurriel Jr. returning soon) can help. Every game matters now.
Updated: August 21, 2026 | Based on reporting by Nick Piecoro & José M. Romero (azcentral.com)