Ketel Marte Will Apologize to D-Backs, Addresses Casino Photo After Restricted, Injured List Stints

Ketel Marte is set to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies after the team placed him on the restricted and then injured lists following his decision to not show up for a matchup with the Boston Red Sox.

He told reporters he plans on apologizing to his teammates and added, "We're human, we all make mistakes."

Marte also said he woke up ahead of the game against the Red Sox in significant pain and was frustrated when he made the individual decision to skip it. He explained he has a positive relationship with Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and let him down by not arriving.

The story remained in the headlines when Marte was seen in a casino when the Diamondbacks were playing, although Lovullo said at the time he was "free to do whatever he wants" if he put in the proper rehab work:

On Monday, Marte said he went to the casino on his "personal time."

Marte returning for Monday's game was the plan from the team's perspective.

Lovullo told reporters last Monday, "That's what we're thinking about. I think that will be the 10th day or the 11th day, so there is definitely a strategy to get him back on the field, get him healthy."

The manager also discussed the situation Monday:

Arizona placed Marte on the restricted list after he didn't show up to face the Red Sox but then made the decision to move him to the injured list because of inflammation in his left knee.

His return comes at an important time, as the Diamondbacks are a half-game ahead of the San Diego Padres for the final wild-card spot in the National League. They are also 4.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs and Phillies and have the opportunity to move up in the standings with the upcoming head-to-head matchups with Philadelphia.

Marte is slashing .249/.314/.446 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI in 118 games this season.