Ketel Marte booed in return to Arizona after declining to deliver a message to Diamondbacks fans
Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was booed by home fans on his return to Chase Field, days after an unexplained absence from a game against the Boston Red Sox that he failed to disclose to teammates, coaches or the front office. Manager Torey Lovullo said he felt "betrayed" by the no-show, which came amid the Diamondbacks' push for a National League wild card spot, and Marte later revealed he had gone for a knee MRI, though this only partially explained the episode.
Marte apologised to teammates and executives at a meeting in Phoenix, describing the absence as "a moment of frustration" for which he alone was responsible. Before his return game against the Philadelphia Phillies, he declined to give fans a direct message when asked, later saying he had misunderstood the question due to a language barrier, though a cap he wore reading "May the bridges I burn light the way" cast some doubt on that explanation. Fans booed loudly during his first at-bat, which ended in a groundout, reflecting lingering frustration despite his apology.
- Ketel Marte booed on return after unexplained absence from a game.
- He apologised to teammates but gave fans no clear explanation.
- His cryptic cap message fuelled doubts about his sincerity.