Padres should notice what Diamondbacks still can’t answer about Ketel Marte

The latest Ketel Marte report gives the Padres a good look at the Diamondbacks’ biggest vulnerability. Both teams are locked into the NL Wild Card race, and Ken Rosenthal’s reporting describes a rival trying to win while unsure whether its best player will walk through the ballpark door.

According to Rosenthal, in reporting highlighted by Foul Territory, Arizona knew Marte was inside the team hotel in Boston on Aug. 17. The club had penciled him in at DH and delayed posting its lineup while waiting for him. Dbacks officials couldn’t get a firm answer on whether he would appear at Fenway Park or not. He didn’t

Hours of uncertainty ended with Marte on the restricted list and a clubhouse searching for answers. An MRI later showed inflammation in his left knee, prompting Arizona to move him to the 10-day IL. 

Why Ketel Marte’s return will not answer every Diamondbacks question

Marte deserves some human consideration here. Rosenthal reported that he has endured painful family losses while dealing with the knee trouble and frustration over his performance. Manager Torey Lovullo said Marte tends to retreat when he’s frustrated. That deserves empathy. The communication failure still affected everyone else, though. The Diamondbacks had a game to play and a lineup card to fill out. The season kept moving while they waited for Marte.

The Padres should be paying attention. They've survived a rough patch this season and an offense that spent months near the bottom of baseball. They also had genuine uncertainty about the trade deadline. The Padres answered by playing their way from 11th place in the NL into a playoff position.

The Friars have dealt with friction in baseball terms. But they’ve been accountable throughout. That ordinary accountability matters when the margins are this close.

Arizona now has a harder issue to settle. Marte has apologized to Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen, and the club expects to bring him back once his knee is ready. The question about trust will remain after he returns.

Teammates notice when a manager says he feels betrayed. It’s not hard to miss when a star’s availability remains uncertain until the first pitch is nearly thrown. The Padres will gain ground with its own wins. Still, the club should recognize what its closest rival is carrying toward September. 

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