Ketel Marte breaks silence, makes first public comments since bizarre departure

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, who showed up Monday after going AWOL and was back in the starting lineup as their designated hitter, says that he planned to apologize to his teammates, and was sorry for his actions – but not for playing cards at a local casino while the Diamondbacks were playing a game.

When asked directly if he had anything to say to the Diamondbacks fans, he merely shook his head, no.

Marte, who was placed on the restricted list after refusing to show for any of their three games against the Boston Red Sox in Boston two weeks ago before going on the injured list with an inflamed knee, spoke for 10 minutes to about 25 media members – more than twice the normal size – before addressing his teammates.

“I’m going to stand in front of my teammates like a man,,” he said. “I’m going to ask for forgiveness. We’re all human. We all commit mistakes.”

When asked why he didn’t show up to the game at Fenway Park, he called it a “moment of frustration.”

“I’m the type of person that when something’s going on in my life,” Marte said, “I don’t like to talk about it.”

Guess what? The Dodgers don’t have MLB’s highest payroll!

Due to the team’s heavy use use of deferred contracts, MLB’s Labor Relations Department’s present-day salary calculations has the Mets at No. 1.

(Payrolls entering opening day)

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Guess what? The Dodgers don’t have MLB’s highest payroll!

Due to the team’s heavy use use of deferred contracts, MLB’s Labor Relations Department’s present-day salary calculations has the Mets at No. 1.

(Payrolls entering opening day)

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30) Cleveland Guardians — $69,984,029

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28) Chicago White Sox — $83,892,150

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27) Washington Nationals — $87,955,033

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24) Minnesota Twins — $96,726,784

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23) St. Louis Cardinals — $98,115,902

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22) Pittsburgh Pirates — $102,058,886

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21) Colorado Rockies — $118,302,854

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20) Cincinnati Reds — $124,308,099

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19) Milwaukee Brewers — $125,467,605

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18) Kansas City Royals — $141,244,816

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17) Seattle Mariners — $160,726,794

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16) Baltimore Orioles — $170,369,743

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15) Los Angeles Angels — $179,002,696

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14) Arizona Diamondbacks — $183,460,266

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12) Boston Red Sox — $198,883,374

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11) San Francisco Giants — $200,800,003

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10) Detroit Tigers — $209,415,401

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8) San Diego Padres — $224,833,896

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5) Toronto Blue Jays — $278,989,858

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4) Philadelphia Phillies — $283,686,918

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3) New York Yankees — $301,064,810

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2) Los Angeles Dodgers — $322,385,057

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When asked whether he was frustrated with his sore knee or manager Torey Lovullo, he apologized for letting Lovullo down.

“I failed him by not showing up,” Marte said. “That morning, I woke up, my body was in pain, and I just couldn’t react. No one made the decision for me. I’m the one who made the decision for me to now show up.”

Marte is now hoping that after addressing his teammates, he can begin to repair the damage he caused while trying to re-earn their trust.

“I understand their frustration,” he said. “The most important thing right now is that I’m doing well and so my family is doing well as well. …

“I hope to become a better player and person. They know that I’m human. I’ve committed mistakes because I am human.”

Marte will bat cleanup and serve as the Diamondbacks’ DH against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Follow Bob Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale