The Mets are hoping Starling Marte has a bounce-back season in 2024 after enduring an injury-filled 2023 campaign.
If Saturday night’s Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) game is any indication, it’s off to a good start.
Marte, 35, an All-Star in 2022, showed his groin injury last season was a thing of the past.
First, the veteran Mets outfielder, who plays for Leones del Escogido, singled in the fifth inning, then reached third in the next at-bat after the pitcher made a throwing error while was trying to start a double play at second base.
After that bit of fortuitous luck, he scored on a wild pitch in the next at-bat to help Escogido to a 7-6 victory over Gigantes del Cibao.
In the sixth inning, the Dominican Republic native crossed the third base line and was safe at first.
Marte’s season with the Mets came to an abrupt end in September, after the lingering effects of double offseason groin surgery, which bothered him all season, landed him on the injured list. wounded.
He also missed time due to migraines.
He had a poor defensive season, with a decrease in hits and noticeably less speed.
Marte, who played in just 86 games last season, hit .248 with five homers and 28 RBIs.
Although Marte stole 24 bases in 28 attempts in 2023, it was still a far cry from his All-Star season with the Mets when he hit .292 with 16 homers and 63 RBIs.
Starling Marte of the New York Mets shows off his speed as he pitches against the Baltimore Orioles. P.A.
After returning to the doctor who operated on him last November for injections and having extensively treated his injury, Marte expected to make a return to the field at the end of the season.
But rehabilitation complications kept him from playing for the rest of the season.
Former Mets manager Buck Showalter said in September that Marte’s health was on the mend and the team expected him to return soon.
Marte was placed on injured reserve on August 5, 2023. Corey Sipkin for NY POST
“He showed very good groin and core strength, sprint speed and measurements that return to his baseline,” Showalter said on September 27. “I am confident that we will have a healthy player in the future.”
2024-01-14 07:40:51
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