Up to date Aug. 30, 2026, 9:59 a.m. ET
Ketel Marte, who deserted the Arizona Diamondbacks two weeks in the past and has but to point out his face at Chase Discipline, is anticipated to stroll by way of the clubhouse Monday, apologize to his teammates, deal with the media after which attempt to save the staff’s season.
He has embarrassed the group, infuriated a faction of the clubhouse, broken the credibility of the entrance workplace and supervisor Torey Lovullo. But, he has has the final word energy.
If Marte performs effectively, and the D-backs earn a playoff berth, he may save Lovullo’s job and spare Mike Hazen, president of baseball operations.
If he struggles, the D-backs miss the postseason once more for the eighth time in 9 years, nobody is secure.
Marte has that form of energy, due to the Diamondbacks enabling him through the years.
Now, their careers might rely on him.
The Diamondbacks may have stopped Marte’s conduct years in the past, however all the time appeared the opposite means. They might have traded him final winter and several other occasions up to now, however as an alternative gave him two contract extensions, believing that will change issues.
He as an alternative has made the Diamondbacks appear like puppets.
Present up once you need. Convey your buddies on the highway. Agitate resort safety. Frustrate teammates together with your buddies consuming alongside them within the clubhouse eating room. And play once you need.
It’s the Marte Guidelines.
One rule for him, one for the 25 different gamers.
“I’ve by no means seen something prefer it,” one Diamondback participant advised USA TODAY Sports activities.
Should you’re not going to self-discipline Marte, how are you going to nice any participant who reveals up late for a staff assembly? If you wish to jog to first base as an alternative of operating out floor balls, how will you be pulled out of the sport? You wish to take a time without work once you’re completely wholesome, who can cease you?
The Diamondbacks imagine that in the event that they retaliate in opposition to Marte, or self-discipline him past temporary stints on the restricted listing when he went AWOL every of the previous two years, they are going to lose him.
So, they as an alternative select to coddle him, indulge him, and inform the world how a lot they love him.
“One of many issues that makes Ketel such a rare participant,” Lovullo stated, “is that he goes to the beat of his personal drum.”
Properly, by sitting again and letting him carry him on, Marte has ravaged the group’s picture and fame, and with 10-and-5 rights, he now has the final word management.
The Diamondbacks can’t even commerce him now with out his permission.
He’s scheduled to return Monday in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Discipline, and all eyes in baseball can be watching the drama, curious to see if the D-backs simply act like all is forgiven.
Former D-backs pitcher Greg Swindell tweeted final week: “D-backs shouldn’t put up with what’s happening with Marte … D-backs shouldn’t enable him again.”
Oh, he’ll be again, and sure carrying on like nothing occurred when he returns.
He’s received the ability, and we’ll now see if the Diamondbacks proceed to face by, performing helpless to cease it.
Across the basepaths
– A number of staff officers say they’ve been suggested that the Main League portion of the winter conferences in December in San Diego doubtless can be canceled, however MLB stated that no resolution has been made. There gained’t be an official announcement except there’s a lockout, identical to in 2021.
– Whereas nobody is aware of the way forward for the 2027 season, one proprietor, one membership president and one veteran participant every predicted this week that the season will doubtless open in Could, with the true bargaining on key financial points occurring when paychecks are missed in April.
– Former Houston Astros GM James Click on, vice chairman of baseball technique with the Toronto Blue Jays since 2023, has emerged as a critical candidate for the Athletics GM opening.
– Whereas Detroit Tigers supervisor A.J. Hinch nonetheless is beloved within the Houston Astros group and has a robust relationship with proprietor Jim Crane, he has no curiosity right now of filling their GM emptiness. He acquired a contract extension from the Tigers on the finish of final season and desires to stay within the function.
The Astros are anticipated to rent a GM with a robust analytics background.
– Chad Tracy would be the interim Boton Purple Sox supervisor, however that job may turn out to be everlasting as soon as the season ends. He took a staff that was going nowhere and morphed into a strong playoff contender that can be a drive in October.
The Purple Sox additionally understand that in the event that they wait too lengthy earlier than extending him, he’ll be the most well liked managerial free agent – behind solely his predecessor, Alex Cora.
– Nobody has ever gained three consecutive Supervisor of the Yr awards, however Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers may change that.
The Brewers, who had been predicted to win 84 video games this 12 months by MLB-sponsored playing websites, as soon as once more have the majors’ finest report and are on tempo to win a franchise-record 100. Murphy, 67, is baseball’s hardest disciplinarian, unafraid to yank gamers in the course of the sport, in the course of counts, or name out gamers within the media.
He eliminated rookie Cooper Pratt for lack of hustle final week in his newest instance of self-discipline, and is why the Brewers have the utmost respect throughout the sport.
“We have now a normal and an settlement for a way we play right here,’’ Brewers veteran Christian Yelich advised reporters. “Everyone knows it … You need to be a sure form of participant to play for Murph and to play right here. You need to be mentally robust and bodily robust.”
Says Murphy: “I’m not attempting to be Johnny Hardass … Should you’re attempting to perform one thing tough, there’s going to be ache, there’s going to be sacrifice, and there’s definitely going to be disagreement. You bought to do your finest to place requirements which can be plausible, are genuine, and are finest for the participant.”
– The one query now for Atlanta ace Chris Sale is what cap he wears in Cooperstown with the best way he retains pitching, going 13-9 with a 2.06 ERA, and giving Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski a run for the NL Cy Younger award.
Sale, at 37 years and 150 days, turned the sixth pitcher since 1900 at that age or older to pitch a shutout with no less than 10 strikeouts and no walks in his 1-0, 11-strikeout gem in opposition to the Dodgers. The final to do it was Corridor of Famer Randy Johnson in 2004.
– The Chicago White have been dwelling within the penthouse of the AL Central many of the season, however that object that is bigger than it seems is the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians’ .605 profitable share in September/October since 2013 is the very best within the American League, in line with MLB researcher Sarah Langs.
– Laborious to imagine that Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, in his first full season, tied the franchise report for many begins of allowing one or no runs in a sport, final achieved by Ron Guidry in 1978.
He additionally could also be becoming a member of Guidry as a Cy Younger award winner, and is not any worse than a co-favorite to win the award with Blue Jays ace Dylan Stop.
– The San Francisco Giants had been 2,208-0 of their historical past when main by six or extra runs within the ninth inning earlier than enjoying the Cincinnati Reds.
They’re now 2,208-1.
They’ve now misplaced 11 video games with a lead within the ninth, probably the most in MLB.
– Brewers starter Logan Henderson, who walks barefoot within the outfield grass and takes a go to to the mound within the afternoon earlier than his begins, might have began a brand new pattern.
The dude has now gone 19 profession begins with out allowing greater than three runs, tying Zack Greinke for the longest streak to start a profession in MLB historical past. He’s 12-2 with a 2.30 ERA in the course of the streak, with the Brewers going 16-3 within the 19 video games.
“It grounds me,’’ he tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel of his barefoot walks. “There’s lots of feelings you’re feeling.’’
– Phillies proper fielder Bryce Harper is having his most interesting month since arriving to Philadelphia. He entered Saturday night time with a .496 on-base share, reaching base in a career-long 30 consecutive video games. He has drawn 28 walks whereas nonetheless hitting .329 with a .577 slugging share and 1.072 OPS in August.
– MLB, in search of a free-agent signing window in December to drum curiosity on the winter conferences, insists that November signings are uncommon, anyway. There was just one free-agent signing among the many 137 free brokers final November.
If gamers don’t sign up December, they’d be required to attend till February.
Bruce Meyer, interim government director of the gamers union, stated the proposal would create “a synthetic free company window … which would scale back participant leverage and create a sport of musical chairs pitting participant vs. participant.”
– Walker Jenkins, the Minnesota Twins’ prime prospect who made his major-league debut Friday, has nearly a legendary work ethic.
When Jenkins traveled to Fort Myers, Florida, after his introductory press convention at Goal Discipline in 2023, he requested if he may take swings as soon as he arrived on the staff’s spring coaching facility.
It was after midnight.
He hit for 45 minutes.
“I don’t assume there may be anyone who’s going to go on the market and love the sport greater than I’m, and have extra enjoyable doing it,” Jenkins advised the Minnesota Star-Tribune. “While you love one thing, you wish to be the very best at it.”
– San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish, who forfeited his $15 million this season when he voluntarily went on the restricted listing, has begun throwing bullpen classes to see if he can return in 2027.
He nonetheless has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract.
– Groups will strive as soon as once more to pry ace Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins this winter. He has been sensational of late, yielding a 1.99 ERA since July 4, pitching no less than six innings in all 10 begins.
– The Marlins owe a debt of gratitude to Derek Jeter, who traded Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins to the Yankees in December, 2017, saving the franchise $265 million.
Stanton performed in 158 video games his first 12 months with the Yankees, hitting 38 homers with 100 RBI, however may have missed 588 video games up to now eight seasons as soon as this 12 months ends.
– One of many prime free-agent signings of the 12 months belongs to the San Diego Padres, who grabbed first baseman Ty France for simply $1.35 million on a minor-league deal this spring. He’s hitting .321 with 12 homers and a .958 OPS since changing into their on a regular basis first baseman, fourth-best within the massive leagues.
– Robust 12 months for Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan, who was acquired from the Cardinals final winter.
He has gone on the injured listing 3 times, the newest when a employees member hit Donovan within the head throughout batting apply, sending him to the seven-day concussion listing. He was not carrying a helmet.
“He’s had form of a 12 months from hell in lots of methods,’’ Mariners GM Justin Hollander advised reporters.
– The Chicago Cubs positive know the best way to throw reunion events, with the newest Saturday commemorating their a hundred and fiftieth anniversary as a Nationwide League franchise.
They introduced their all-Cubs’ staff with greater than 20 gamers in attendance, together with Sammy Sosa, had the dedication of a Founders’ Clock on the nook of Clark and Addison, inducted Jon Lester, Jody Davis and former broadcaster Vince Lloyd into their Corridor of Fame and even bought Budweiser beer for a few innings for simply $1.50.
– The Seattle Mariners, some of the disappointing groups in baseball this 12 months, entered Saturday seven video games under .500.
But, miraculously, they’re solely 4 video games out of first place within the woeful AL West.
They usually play 13 of their ultimate 15 video games in opposition to the Angels, Athletics, and Rockies.
Bear in mind a 12 months in the past, they reeled off a 17-1 stretch to win the AL West.
– The Baltimore Orioles doubtless can be sitting house in October, however don’t blame first baseman Pete Alonso. He has been every part they hoped for, and extra. Alonso entered Saturday hitting .272 with 31 homers and 91 RBI this season, together with a blistering 358 with 9 homers, 22 RBI and a 1.093 OPS within the month of August.
– Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, the favourite to win the NL Rookie of the Yr award, has an opportunity to go the place solely two gamers have gone in baseball historical past.
Stewart may be a part of Ted Williams (1939) and Walt Dropo (1950) as the one rookies to steer their league in runs batted in, racking up 103 with 30 homers coming into Sunday.
– There’s not a extra harmful staff within the main leagues with two outs within the ninth inning than these Philadelphia Phillies.
Edmundo Sosa’s game-winning grand slam with two outs within the ninth inning Friday in opposition to the Angels was their fourth go-ahead homer with two outs within the ninth this season.
No staff has hit even three, with Sosa’s pinch-hit slam with two outs within the ninth inning the primary since Ozzie Virgil in 1983.
– It was at 12:45 p.m. Friday {that a} baseball miracle occurred.
The Tampa Bay Rays will lastly have a brand new house.
The Hillsborough County Fee accredited the funding for a $2.3 billion ballpark in Tampa for the Rays that’s scheduled to open in 2029.
Lastly, the drama is over.
The Rays aren’t going to Montreal, Charlotte, Raleigh, Nashville or Orlando.
They lastly have a house.
And now that the Rays’ and Athletics’ stadium woes are lastly resolved, search for growth coming in 2032, with Salt Lake Metropolis and Nashville nonetheless the heavy favorites.
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