Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo admits what’s different about Ketel Marte’s absence

The Arizona Diamondbacks returned to winning ways on Wednesday, taking a 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox to salvage the final game of a three-game set in which they lost the first two games of. They moved to 67-61 on the season, keeping in step with the San Diego Padres in the battle for the third and final Wild Card spot in the NL.

But amid the Diamondbacks’ solid play as of late, two recent losses to the Red Sox notwithstanding, a dark cloud has been hovering over them — with Ketel Marte’s absence being the biggest talking point surrounding the team. Marte, without prior notice, did not show up to Fenway Park back on Monday for the first game of their series against Boston, and Arizona put him on the restricted list as a result.

When asked how similar Marte’s absence is to the one he had last year following the All-Star break, manager Torey Lovullo gave a revealing answer.

“Maybe a little bit different. I had a little heads up last year. I didn’t have a heads up this year,” Lovullo said, via Cameron Cox of 12 Sports.

Question from @nickpiecoro to Torey Lovullo.
Q: You guys had that series last year after the break when Ketel Marte wasn't around, does this feel different?

Torey "I had a little heads up last year. I didn't have a heads up this year."

(video courtesy https://t.co/Zd1ZFEYu7y) pic.twitter.com/ZvSgOTAMRD

— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) August 20, 2026

News then came out that Marte was headed back to Arizona to undergo an MRI, which adds an extra layer of concern for the Diamondbacks after announcing that the 32-year-old had been dealing with a personal issue.

It can be a bit frustrating for the Diamondbacks that Marte just didn’t go to the game without informing the team, but perhaps the problem he was dealing with was simply pressing. Arizona, of course, had to scramble in the aftermath of his sudden absence, but for Lovullo, he believes that his team has enough to deal with anything.

“We’re gonna be fine no matter who’s in our lineup. We got 26 engaged dogs out there that won a baseball game and that’s all I care about. I will put in the best players that I possibly can that are gonna focus and execute to win baseball games. This is a big boy league and you got to win baseball game,” Lovullo added.

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