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UKMLB’s Ketel Marte Spotted At Casino While His Team Played a Game
Key Highlights
- Ketel Marte was photographed at a casino while the Diamondbacks were playing the Reds on Friday.
- Marte had missed Monday’s game in Boston before moving from the restricted list to the injured list with a knee issue.
- Manager Torey Lovullo and teammate Kevin Ginkel have publicly expressed frustration over the situation.
Marte Seen At Casino During Diamondbacks Game
Marte, a second baseman with the Arizona Diamondbacks, was photographed at Talking Stick Casino in Scottsdale on August 21 while his team was playing the Cincinnati Reds. Photos on social media showed Marte sitting at a roulette table with the Diamondbacks game visible on a nearby television during the sixth inning.
Marte is currently on the injured list because of a knee issue. Players on the IL generally aren’t required to attend games, and Marte had spent part of Friday rehabbing at Salt River Fields, Arizona’s spring training complex.
Absence Creates Frustration Inside Clubhouse
The casino appearance followed a turbulent week for Marte. He failed to report for Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox and was initially placed on the restricted list. Marte didn’t explain the absence to team officials until a Thursday meeting. Arizona placed him on the injured list after he left Boston to undergo testing on his knee.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Marte was free to spend his time at Arizona casinos as he chose as long as he reported for his scheduled rehabilitation work. However, he also acknowledged feeling frustrated and betrayed by the events surrounding Marte’s absence.
“I think a lot of players are kind of frustrated with how it just happened,” added reliever Kevin Ginkel, a teammate of Marte’s since 2019.
This is the second time in as many years that Marte was placed on the restricted list. He stepped away from the team last July after his home was burglarized while he was playing in the MLB All-Star Game.
Diamondbacks Navigate Playoff Race & Marte Questions
The casino situation comes at an important point in Arizona’s season. Friday’s 9-0 victory over Cincinnati moved the Diamondbacks to 68-61, leaving them one game behind the San Diego Padres for the third National League wild-card spot. They were two games back with plus-money odds to make the MLB playoffs on baseball betting sites as of Monday.
Marte, 32, entered the weekend batting .249 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs. While still a key offensive contributor, his production has declined since finishing third in NL MVP voting in 2024 and earning a second consecutive All-Star selection in 2025.
Arizona also has a substantial long-term commitment to Marte. The second baseman signed a seven-year, $116.5 million extension in April 2025, adding another layer to a relationship that has drawn increased scrutiny during the playoff chase.
