Marte Surprised by Boos in Return to Arizona Lineup

Ketel Marte returned to the Diamondbacks on Monday after an unexcused absence and heard boos from the Chase Field crowd, which he said he did not expect. He acknowledged feeling uneasy during his first at-bat but noted the reaction softened as the game progressed. Marte also clarified that his earlier silence when asked about a message for fans stemmed from a translation misunderstanding, emphasizing he still loves the supporters.

Marte's return came during a critical series opener against the Phillies, with playoff positioning at stake. After grounding out in his first at-bat to louder boos, he settled in with a walk and an opposite-field single, and the crowd's reaction softened noticeably as the game wore on. Manager Torey Lovullo said he was unsurprised by the reception but praised how Marte handled it. Marte also addressed his teammates directly, apologizing in person, and said they accepted his apology, with Lovullo calling the gesture "fast and simple" and exactly what was expected.