Ketel Marte Seen at Casino During Diamondbacks Game After Boston Absence

PHOENIX – Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was pictured at Talking Stick Casino during Friday’s home game while on the 10-day injured list.

The appearance drew attention after Marte failed to report for a game in Boston earlier in the week, although the Diamondbacks said his casino visit violated no team rules.

Images circulated on social media showing the 32-year-old second baseman at a roulette table while Arizona was playing the Cincinnati Reds at Chase Field on Aug. 21. A nearby television was showing the Diamondbacks game, which Arizona won 9-0.

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Marte Was Not Required to Attend Diamondbacks Game

Marte had reported to Salt River Fields earlier Friday to begin rehabilitation for inflammation in his left knee. Players on the injured list receive treatment at the team’s spring training facility and generally are not required to attend home games afterward.

MLB confirmed that Marte was not doing anything illegal at Talking Stick Casino and had not violated Diamondbacks rules or policies by being there.

Manager Torey Lovullo initially brushed aside questions about the casino appearance after Friday’s game, saying Marte was “free to do whatever he wants” as long as he continued reporting for his rehabilitation work.

After considering the optics overnight, Lovullo said Saturday that visiting the casino was “not a choice I would make,” while again emphasizing that Marte had broken no rules. Marte returned to Salt River Fields on Saturday morning for his rehabilitation program.

Casino Appearance Follows Unexplained Boston Absence

The casino visit came at the end of a turbulent week between Marte and the Diamondbacks. He did not arrive at Fenway Park for Arizona’s Aug. 17 game against the Boston Red Sox and was subsequently placed on the restricted list while the club described the absence as a personal matter.

Marte later returned to Arizona for an MRI on his left knee. The examination showed inflammation, and the Diamondbacks moved him from the restricted list to the 10-day injured list Thursday after a meeting involving Marte, Lovullo, general manager Mike Hazen and Marte’s agent.

Lovullo said the meeting was productive but acknowledged frustration with the way the earlier absence had been handled. He said Friday that he had felt “betrayed” as the situation unfolded, while the club indicated that communication surrounding Marte’s failure to report could have been better.

Reliever Kevin Ginkel also acknowledged frustration among players but said the priority was for Marte to recover physically and be ready to contribute when he returns.

Casino Visit Draws Criticism During Wild-Card Race

The timing of Marte’s appearance at the casino prompted criticism because Arizona remains involved in the National League wild-card race. Former MLB pitcher Alex Wood, who spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, criticized Marte’s decision on social media and questioned the optics of a franchise player being at a casino while his teammates were playing.

The casino appearance itself has not resulted in disciplinary action, and there is no indication that Marte was betting on baseball. The issue for the Diamondbacks has instead centered on his earlier absence, communication with the club and when he will be healthy enough to return.

Marte has been one of Arizona’s leading players in recent seasons, finishing third in National League MVP voting in 2024 and earning All-Star selections in each of the past two years. The Diamondbacks signed him to a seven-year, $116.5 million contract extension in April 2025.

Arizona has said its focus is now on getting Marte through his rehabilitation and back into the lineup as the regular season enters its final weeks.

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