Per a team announcement, the New York Mets activated outfielder Starling Marte from the injured list on Sunday. Marte started a rehab assignment just over 10 days ago and will immediately hit fifth against the Miami Marlins. In a corresponding move, New York designated veteran outfielder Ben Gamel for assignment.
OF Startling Marte has been reinstated from the IL. OF Ben Gamel has been designated for assignment.
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 18, 2024
Marte will return almost two months after landing on the injured list with a right knee bone bruise. At that point, the Mets were already monitoring the issue for a few weeks. Though he tried to play through it, Marte and team doctors decided a stint on the injured list represented the best course of action.
Mets Activate Starling Marte From Injured List
While the Mets experienced their best stretch of the season with Marte on the injured list, manager Carlos Mendoza explained why his return is important to the team.
“He’s a big part of this team,” Mendoza told reporters on Saturday. “His bat, his speed, there’s a lot. His presence on the lineup, the experience obviously. He’s been in this league for a long time and had a pretty good career and we missed him. The fact that we’re getting a healthy Marte here, especially where we are in the schedule, is going to be huge for our team.”
“He’s going to be a big part of this team, just like he’s been the last couple of years. But we have to be smart, we have to protect him.”
Carlos Mendoza on Starling Marte returning to the lineup: pic.twitter.com/ypOEdR0n9a
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 18, 2024
Marte displayed his dynamic ability in 66 games this year. He hit .278/.328/.416 (116 wRC+) with seven homers and 12 stolen bases in 12 attempts. Additionally, the 35-year-old was hot before landing on the shelf. In his last 16 games, Marte hit .351/.413/.509 with four steals, 11 runs, and two doubles and triples apiece.
New York’s offense can be a bit streaky, but adding an established All-Star bat should help immensely. That said, an underrated aspect of his return is his bad defense. In almost 500 innings in right field this year, Marte produced -9 Outs Above Average and -9 Defensive Runs Saved. This indicates that he was not making plays while also not covering a lot of ground.
I’ve let the Marte misplay marinate for a bit and……. yeah that defense is a literal KILLER.
Its one thing to miss a ball that had a 95% catch rate
its another to be as inconsistent as Martes been in RF
The bat can only compensate so much #Mets
pic.twitter.com/MB9JNyKbIl— Tyler (@WardyNYM) June 8, 2024
The Mets played Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil in right field with Marte on the injured list. Defensive metrics grade both of their performances as above average, especially Taylor’s. Recording these extra outs greatly impacted the pitching staff and their ability to keep the team in games.
Perhaps Marte’s knee issues contributed to his poor defense. But no matter the cause, the Mets will hope he’s at least serviceable in the early innings, then replace him late in games with Taylor.
Photo Credit: © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
