The saga surrounding Ketel Marte continues to develop. While the Arizona Diamondbacks were dominating the Cincinnati Reds in a 9-0 victory at Chase Field on Friday evening, their injured second baseman was seen spending time at a casino.
This development follows recent tension that started when Marte unexplainably failed to appear at Fenway Park, resulting in his temporary placement on the Restricted List.
Following those events, Marte reportedly held a constructive discussion with manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen. Subsequently, he was activated from the restricted list and placed on the 10-day injured list due to knee inflammation, which he is currently treating at Salt River Fields.
However, after footage of Marte circulated on social media, Arizona supporters understandably voiced their concerns, prompting reporters to question Lovullo about the incident multiple times.
Lovullo lightly touched upon the situation on Friday night. When asked about what is expected of a player undergoing rehabilitation, he remarked:
“You complete your training at Salt River, which is usually scheduled for early in the morning, and he was indeed there completing all his required tasks. Once the medical staff clears you, you are free to return home and spend the night with your family.
“He is allowed to spend his free time as he pleases. That is my perspective. As long as he arrives the following morning to complete his recovery work at Salt River, which I have no doubt he will do, that is my sole concern at the moment.”
Prior to the second game of the series against Cincinnati on Saturday, Lovullo dealt with the matter more directly.
Torey Lovullo Comments on Ketel Marte’s Outing at the Casino
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo during a matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field on July 5, 2026. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Reuters Connect
While Lovullo spoke more candidly on Saturday, he reiterated that Marte did not violate team policies. Injured players do not have an obligation to attend games once their daily rehab and treatment sessions are completed.
“The perception wasn’t ideal, and it isn’t a decision I would have made… or one that many people here would choose, but Ketel is an adult who can make his own choices, and he didn’t violate any regulations,” Lovullo stated (via Arizona Sports on X/Twitter).
“He had every right to go there and spend his time as he wished, and as I mentioned, he is responsible for his own choices.”
According to Lovullo, Marte will have a planned day off from rehabilitation on Sunday before intensifying his recovery by taking batting practice in the cage on Monday.
It is also anticipated that Marte will speak to his teammates about his recent absence in the near future.
In the end, having Marte sit on the bench with his teammates during Friday’s game might have created an even larger distraction, despite the unfavorable perception of his casino visit.
This piece was first published on www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi under the title Torey Lovullo Addresses Ketel Marte’s Casino Sighting.
