CHICAGO — The Mets have gone a week and a half with their full starting lineup available, but Starling Marte’s right knee soreness could force the team to look to fill out right field beyond just a few days.
Marte, who has been dealing with knee discomfort in recent weeks, will undergo tests Monday – including an MRI scan – that will give Marte and the Mets a better understanding of the situation.
Marte was absent from the starting lineup Sunday against the Cubs, a day after leaving the game in the second inning with a barking knee.
On Sunday, a Mets teammate asked Marte to rest until he was healthy.
“At the end of the day, it’s for the long haul and a long season and you want to be healthy going forward instead of constantly working at bats and working throughout the day,” JD Martinez told the Post before the game at Wrigley. Field. ” I have already been there. It’s no fun when you’re not healthy and you’re just getting by. I think for the sake of (Marte) and for the sake of the team, let’s rest.
The Mets have had their full starting lineup active since Francisco Alvarez returned from the injured list on June 11.
The catcher missed seven weeks of rehabilitation following surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament.
Aside from Alvarez, the Mets have been relatively fortunate thus far in keeping their starters off the injured list.
Manager Carlos Mendoza played cautiously with Marte, scheduling rest days for the 35-year-old outfielder to protect his legs.
Mendoza notably took this approach when the Mets played on artificial turf in Miami, London and Texas in recent weeks.
When asked if it might be worth placing Marte on the IL to rest the knee regardless of the test results, Mendoza said the team would first wait to see what the exam reveals MRI.
“We don’t want to pick too early here,” Mendoza said. “We want to make sure we look at it and see what we’re dealing with and then we’ll make a decision moving forward.”
DJ Stewart started in place of Marte on Sunday and the Mets have Tyrone Taylor as another option to play the outfield.
Trayce Thompson and Ben Gamel are outfielders from Triple-A Syracuse with major league experience.
Jeff McNeil can also play outfield and is still an option to use in that role, according to Mendoza.
Marte missed most of the final two months of last season with groin discomfort.
He also had a period of LI caused by migraines.
But he managed to stay in the lineup this season.
In 66 games, he has a slash line of .278/.328/.416 with seven home runs, 30 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
Although he has been a solid contributor offensively, Marte’s defense is lagging, and it is noticeable.
“He’s very talented and he can do everything. He’s a good defender when he’s healthy,” Martinez said. “He throws the ball well and he’s just been a good hitter. It gives you productive at-bats so it’s important.
“I’ve been in that position where you want to play and you just can’t get healthy. Naturally, it sucks because you can’t get your timing right and you’re out there and you’re not being productive the way you want to be. It’s almost better for me that you get it fixed and are healthy.
New York Post
