The Arizona Diamondbacks moved to contain a spiralling clubhouse controversy on Monday after All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte publicly apologized for missing two games immediately following last month’s All-Star break. Marte acknowledged that he flew to the Dominican Republic without team approval, an absence that caused him to miss his own bobblehead promotion and led Arizona to place him on the restricted list without pay. General Manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo held a series of meetings with players and staff before Marte’s apology, aiming to quell internal criticism about the 30-year-old’s commitment. Lovullo praised Marte for showing “vulnerability,” while Marte, speaking through an interpreter, insisted he retains the support of teammates despite what he called “outsider” complaints. The infielder, who signed an extension that keeps him under contract through 2031 at roughly $92.5 million, will gain full no-trade rights next season as a 10-and-5 player. Local media scrutiny intensified after Arizona Republic beat writer Nick Piecoro reported growing frustration inside the clubhouse over Marte’s frequent rest days. Radio host Dan Bickley, who has echoed those concerns for more than a year, defended the reporting against a backlash from fans, arguing that the story reflects genuine unease within the organization. The Diamondbacks, 60-65 entering Monday night's game, hope the apology ends a distraction as they evaluate offseason trade options and attempt to salvage momentum in the final weeks of a disappointing season.