Starling Marte, a New York Mets outfielder, might have used the spring as a tryout for other teams. Instead, the two-time All-Star is still sidelined with right knee pain. Marte missed two months with the illness last season and hit only.244 with no home runs in 28 games after returning.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed to reporters earlier this week that Marte will not play anytime soon. However, he is anticipated to practice batting on a back field in March. “Some good days, some not so good,” Mendoza said of Marte’s knee. “Still finding that balance [of] when is too much, when we need to pull back,” Mendoza told the New York Post. “But he hasn’t stopped playing any baseball at all. It’s more of a running progression, so he’s still working through that.”
Mendoza believes Marte will be a “impact player” for the aspiring Mets. However, Marte admitted earlier this year that the Mets approached him about an offseason trade. The Mets owe Marte nearly $21 million this season, the last year of his four-year contract. Marte did not publicly request a trade, and he’s indicated he’s open to coming off the bench.
Marte had a.258 batting average in 180 games over the previous two seasons due to injuries, but he hit.277 with nine RBI during the Mets’ playoff run.
We’ll see if any teams decide to pursue Marte before the July trade deadline. With designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton potentially out for an extended period of time, the crosstown New York Yankees might benefit from another bat.
Stanton is dealing with tennis elbow in both arms and recently departed camp for a “personal issue.” For the time being, the Mets should get used to not having Marte. Perhaps this is the opportunity for former Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario to make the Mets’ Opening Day roster.
