Lovullo Denies USA Today Report on Marte Taking Days Off, Defends Star as Great Teammate

" Lovullo spoke after a USA Today report over the weekend claimed Marte was again frustrating some members of the organization by taking days off. Lovullo called that account untrue. "I can wholeheartedly tell you that Ketel has been an unbelievable player for the Arizona Diamondbacks for a long period of time," Lovullo said, according to the Arizona Republic.

"There are days off that are needed, they're fairly scripted and we ask for his input. " Lovullo addressed a separate claim that Marte is not a good teammate. "But there's this underlying theme that he's not a good teammate, and it's pulling at the fabric of the clubhouse chemistry, which is not true at all," he said.

"He's been a great teammate, a great human being, a great husband and a great father, and he happens to be one of the best players in the National League," Lovullo added. 246 batting average, 11 home runs and 37 RBIs. He has sat out only four games, the third-fewest absences on the team.

Last season, Marte missed three games after the All-Star break when he flew home to the Dominican Republic following the reported burglary of his Scottsdale, Arizona, residence. " Lovullo also defended Marte after that episode. On Tuesday he repeated his support.

"He's going to help us win baseball games," the manager said. "He's going to help us get to where we want to. " ESPN reported the details of Lovullo's Tuesday comments.