Diamondbacks’ Kevin Ginkel drops ‘disappointing’ reaction to Ketel Marte’s recent absence

Kevin Ginkel didn’t hide his frustration when asked about Ketel Marte’s recent absence, offering a candid take on a situation that has rattled the Arizona Diamondbacks clubhouse during a critical stretch of the season.

The veteran reliever made clear how much the team needs its star second baseman back. “For us to go where we want to go, we’ve got to have them here,” Ginkel said. “It’s disappointing how the things that happened happened. There’s really no explanation for it.”

"It's disappointing… there's really no explanation for it."

Kevin Ginkel on Ketel Marte's recent absence pic.twitter.com/IW4IIU8o1M

— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) August 21, 2026

The comments come amid one of the stranger chapters of Arizona’s season. Marte failed to show up for the Diamondbacks’ game against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 17, prompting the team to place the three-time All-Star on the restricted list. Manager Torey Lovullo admitted he felt “betrayed” once the situation unfolded, though he said he had since moved past that initial frustration.

Ginkel, who has been Marte’s teammate since 2019, acknowledged that the abrupt nature of the disappearance stung throughout the room.

“I think a lot of players are kind of frustrated with how it just happened,” he said. Still, he emphasized his care for Marte, stressing that the priority is getting him healthy both physically and mentally so he can return and contribute.

Several players are hoping for clarity. Asked whether he expected an explanation, Ginkel said it would be nice to hear one. Lovullo, for his part, met with Marte, general manager Mike Hazen, and Marte’s agent on Thursday, describing a conversation in which both sides got what they needed off their chests.

The backdrop makes the drama especially costly. Arizona entered Friday with 34 games remaining, locked in a tight playoff race and chasing its first postseason berth since 2023. Marte was eventually moved from the restricted list to the 10-day injured list, with reports pointing to inflammation in his knee and upper hamstring.

For Ginkel and the Diamondbacks, the focus now is on channeling the noise into a push. As he put it, the hope is to get Marte back and let the team make a run at October.

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