During Friday’s episode of Friar Territory, Bell argued that if an American player behaved similarly to Marte, he would be criticized and ostracized, whereas Marte’s actions are being treated with more sympathy because he is from the Dominican Republic.
Bell, a three-time All-Star closer who played for the Padres, noted that he and Marte were not teammates, as Bell’s only season with Arizona was in 2013, four years before Marte joined the Diamondbacks.
What happened with Ketel Marte
Marte did not play in the Diamondbacks’ game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 17. He was placed on the restricted list just before the game’s first pitch.
Two days later, Marte’s agent informed MLB Network that Marte would be heading to Phoenix for an MRI on his knee while also managing a personal matter.
The Diamondbacks placed Marte on the injured list the following day, which allowed him to receive pay during a period that effectively resembled a three-day unpaid suspension.
On August 20, Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said GM Mike Hazen had requested an in-person meeting with Marte, though Marte had yet to agree. The meeting occurred, with Marte meeting Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo as well. Since then, Marte has remained away from the team, rehabilitating his knee and spending time at Talking Stick Resort while his teammates chase a National League wild-card berth.
Before the injury, Marte was posting a line of .249/.314/.446. He was eligible to return from the injured list in the following days and had been cleared to take batting practice.
Bell’s remarks on Marte
Bell drew a comparison between Marte’s reception and how players who used performance-enhancing drugs were treated in his era, suggesting that players from Latin America received more leniency than American-born players when it came to PED use.
He described Marte’s behavior as that of a poor teammate who should be traded, adding that Marte should simply show up and perform his job. Bell expressed the view that Marte appears to be acting in a way that prioritizes himself over the team, the fan base, and the coaching staff.
In response, Dbacks manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged feeling betrayed by Marte’s actions, a sentiment that reflected frustration with Marte’s absence rather than attributing it to an emotional issue.
Current status
Marte was eligible to return to action after rehab and had been cleared for batting practice. The situation has sparked discussions about perceived double standards in MLB and the responsibilities of teammates when injuries and personal matters intersect with team obligations.
