Ketel Marte Reacts to Being Booed by D-Backs Fans After Viral Video from Pregame Press Conference

Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte said Tuesday night it was "a little strange" to make his return to Chase Field for the first time since his unexplained absence from an Aug. 17 game against the Boston Red Sox.

Marte, who was reinstated from the IL ahead of Monday's home game against the Philadelphia Phillies, was booed by fans in his first at-bat.

"I felt a little strange, in my first at-bat, but that's hopefully going to go away," Marte said through a Spanish language translator (h/t Arizona Sports' Alex Weiner).

Marte also addressed a pregame press conference in which he declined to share any message with Diamondbacks fans.

"When that question was made to me, I didn't really quite understand the word that was used at that moment," Marte said through his translator. "But I'm never going to stop loving my fans, and that's what I want them to understand."

Marte gave his postgame press conference while wearing a hat that read "May the bridges I burn light the way."

Marte previuosly told reporters at his pregame press conference he planned to apologize to his teammates.

"Thank God they accepted my apology," Marte said through his translator after the game. "Most important thing is for me to help them out, and most important thing is for me to stay healthy to be able to help this team."

Marte recorded one hit and a walk while batting fourth as designated hitter as the D-backs conceded a 2-1 loss in his return to the lineup.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo had indicated ahead of the game that he was concerned about the fan reception for Marte.

"I just want everyone to be patient with him, care for him and support him, because he feels the energy from people," Lovullo said.

Marte was initially placed on the restricted list when he failed to show up for the matchup against the Red Sox earlier this month.

He was later moved to the 10-day injured list because of inflammation in his left knee, according to Lovullo.

Marte said before the game through his translator his initial absence from the team had been the result of a "moment of frustration."

"I get along really well with Torey, and in that instance I failed him by not showing up," Marte said (h/t Arizona's Family's Nick King). "That morning I woke up, my body was in pain, and I couldn't react. No one made the decision for me. I'm the one that made the decision to not show up."

He added he was now feeling "very well" both in terms of physical and mental health.

Marte is batting .250 with a .315 OBP, both of which would stand as the second-lowest full-season marks of his career, through 119 games this season.

More consistent production from Marte could be crucial to the Diamondbacks' hopes of making it back into the postseason. The club is sitting half a game back of the last NL Wild Card spot after Monday's loss to the Phillies.