DENVER — The last time the Diamondbacks visited Coors Field, in August of 2025, the most pivotal moment of the season took place.
It was after a bitter defeat to end a four-game series against the Rockies on Sunday, Aug. 17. As manager Torey Lovullo was giving his postgame interview, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo walked into the manager’s office and asked to speak.
Perdomo proceeded to deliver a heartfelt message in defense of teammate Ketel Marte, who had reportedly caused some frustration in the team clubhouse among some teammates because of untimely absences from the team earlier in the season.
Then came a report that the Diamondbacks would listen to trade offers for Marte, one of the best players in franchise history. And with the Diamondbacks losing games they needed to win to stay in the postseason race, it all came to a head for Perdomo in Colorado.
“I want to get something clear about my teammate. I’m tired of this,” Perdomo said then. “Please, he just wants to play baseball. I don’t want to speak as a team. I want to speak as a brother. He just wants to play baseball. Just let the guy alone; it’s been too much for him.”
All of that drama seems like water under the bridge now. The Diamondbacks made a run and just came up short of a wild card in the final days of the regular season. Marte was never traded, and he’s maintained good health so far, having appeared in 42 of the team’s 45 games this season.
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) on deck in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) slides safe at third past Colorado Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros (12) in the first inning at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) leans off of third in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) celebrates his two-run single in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) celebrates a run scored in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.1 / 7
Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) on deck in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) on deck in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) slides safe at third past Colorado Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros (12) in the first inning at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) leans off of third in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) celebrates his two-run single in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) celebrates a run scored in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks visit Colorado Rockies for 3-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, on May 15, 2026.
He got Sunday, May 17, off in Denver as previously planned, but told Lovullo that he was available to come off the bench if needed.
“It was a very unpleasant moment,” Perdomo said in Spanish, looking back on his comments. “It was a little difficult. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but I knew had to do it.
“For me, the team was most important, we needed to play good baseball. In that moment, I felt a negative vibe in the clubhouse and there was a misunderstanding. So we had to get to the root of the problem and get it out,” Perdomo said. “Then we could play the kind of baseball we wanted to. In the end we were able to move on and all the negativity stopped.
“He’s my brother,” Perdomo said of Marte. “I’ll always be there for him and I will be there when times are tough. That’s why I did what I did that day.”
Lovullo said Perdomo never told him that he planned to make public comments about the situation.
“He came in as leaders do. Leaders know how to lead and when to lead, and timing is very important in those situations,” Lovullo said. “He just felt like one of his brothers … was struggling and he wanted to have his back.
“I was impressed by that. It takes a lot of courage to do that. He’s still a young player.”
Lovullo said at the time the team was being “targeted for all the wrong reasons” and needed to start playing better baseball.
“I know that it created some drama but I think it helped settle everything down,” Lovullo said. “I think that also speaks about a fearlessness that Perdomo has. Probably thought about what he wanted to do, he made a quick judgment and then he said ‘I want the world to see what I did, because I believe in what I did.’ That’s the fearlessness that he plays with every single day.”
Game begins in weather delay
The Diamondbacks-Rockies series finale opened in a weather delay, as rain showers were in the downtown Denver area and light rain began falling right before first pitch.
Groundskeepers rolled out the tarp and covered the field at 1:12 p.m. local time. At 1:31 p.m., fans were told to head for shelter, as there was lightning in the area.
Diamondbacks at Rockies, 12:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (5-2, 3.53) vs. Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-5, 6.55).
At Coors Field: Since allowing eight runs in three innings on April 30, Soroka has pitched a combined 12⅔ innings in his past two starts, with one run allowed on 10 hits, 11 strikeouts and three walks. Soroka is 1-2 in three career starts against the Giants, with a 4.00 ERA. … Lorenzen, earlier in his career a two-way player, is strictly a pitcher now. He has taken a loss in each of his past three starts. Lorenzen has had career success against the Diamondbacks, with a 3-1 record in 10 appearances and a 2.39 ERA. He’s faced Arizona as a starter and reliever.
Coming up
Monday, May 18: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-4, 5.65) vs. Giants LHP Robbie Ray (3-5, 3.04).
Tuesday, May 19: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m. Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-3, 5.40) vs. Giants RHP Landon Roupp (5-4, 3.49).
Wednesday, May 20: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (3-3, 5.91) vs. Giants RHP Tyler Mahle (1-5, 5.59).
This story will be updated with new information.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Geraldo Perdomo looks back on his 2025 defense of teammate
