Perdomo defends Marte after reports of D-Backs being upset over days off

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo came to Ketel Marte's defense on Sunday after reports claimed that teammates were frustrated by the All-Star second baseman's tendency to ask for days off.

"I want to get something clear about my teammate," Perdomo said following a 6-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies, according to Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic. "I'm tired of this. It's going to be for all reporters and all the writers. This is the second time something came out (about) Marte.

"Please, he just wants to play baseball. I don't want to speak as a teammate, I want to speak as a brother. He just wants to play baseball. Just leave the guy alone, it's been too much for him. I feel he doesn't deserve that.

"Whatever happened in the past, it was in the past. We're playing good baseball right now, and I feel like we just want to have fun and we just want to play. Just please, please, you guys have to stop."

D-Backs players and other members of the organization were bothered when Marte missed three games after his house was burglarized during the All-Star break in mid-July, according to a report in The Arizona Republic. The 31-year-old, who said he lost $400,000 worth of items, spent the majority of the time in the Dominican Republic instead of in Scottsdale, where the incident took place, after he was placed on the restricted list. The 2024 NL MVP finalist also requested to sit out the final contests before the break, but he suited up in the Midsummer Classic.

Some reportedly believe his absence contributed to Arizona's front office selling off key pieces at the trade deadline.

In another situation last year, Marte's teammates were reportedly irritated that he asked for a day off in the final week of the 2024 campaign amid a tight wild-card race that ended with the club missing the playoffs due to a tiebreaker.

Another report in USA Today claimed the D-Backs are going to listen to offers for Marte in the offseason after having a private meeting upon his return from his extended All-Star break.

Marte signed a six-year, $116.5-million extension in April.