Starling Marte attempted to start some baseball activities a few days ago, but the outfielder told reporters (including MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo) that the hitting and throwing drills were stopped since Marte’s fractured right middle finger “was still bothering me a good amount.” Since Marte’s injured-list placement was retroactive to September 7, he won’t be activated after just the minimum 10 days, and it isn’t yet certain when or even if Marte could be back before the end of the regular season.
For his part, Marte feels he will be able to play again, though manager Buck Showalter was more circumspect about the possibility. Naturally, getting Marte back onto the field as soon as possible would be ideal for all parties, especially if he can get some swings under his belt to ensure that his finger is fully healed heading into the playoffs. But, with a postseason trip all but officially assured, the team isn’t going to rush Marte back, since a re-aggravation of the injury could threaten his availability for October.
The Mets are trying to hold off the Braves for first place in the NL East, and the division crown carries even more importance given the new playoff format. While a late surge from the NL Central-leading Cardinals can’t be ruled out, the NL East winner is likely to finish with the second-best record in the National League, and will thus earn a first-round bye. That bye is valuable for countless reasons, including the fact that getting over a full week off would allow a team more time to get its players (like Marte) rested and recovered from injuries. Of course, not having Marte available will make it all the more difficult for New York to stay ahead of Atlanta down the stretch.
While Marte’s status is still a question mark, the Mets are at least getting some reinforcements back on the pitching side. Max Scherzer is tentatively scheduled to be activated from the 15-day IL in time to start Monday’s game against the Brewers, and Tylor Megill is also slated to be activated from the 60-day IL when the series begins in Milwaukee.
Megill suffered a shoulder strain in mid-June, and after starting all 27 games of his brief MLB career, the righty is being targeted for a bullpen role upon his return. Between his shoulder injury and another long-month IL stint due to biceps inflammation, Megill has barely pitched in 2022, with just 41 1/3 innings over his nine appearances. While his SIERA is an impressive 3.28 and his strikeout and walk rates are both above-average, Megill’s real-world numbers include a 5.01 ERA.
The Mets also welcomed righty reliever Stephen Nogosek back from the 15-day IL today, and played Mychal Givens on the injured list in the corresponding move. There was no stated reason for Givens’ placement, indicating that the right-hander has been placed on the COVID-related version of the IL. It isn’t known if Givens has tested positive for COVID-19, or is just suffering from symptoms.
Nogosek has missed the last four weeks due to an oblique strain. Now in his third MLB season, Nogosek has a career-high 19 1/3 innings, and a solid 2.79 ERA. New York has shuttled Nogosek up and down from Triple-A on multiple occasions this year, but with the Triple-A season almost over, Nogosek figures to stick in the majors and provide more depth in the Mets’ bullpen.
It’s been a great season but I’m watching the Pirates game and it should be a lot more than 5-0. They can’t put teams away and that could really come back to bite them in the postseason. A healthy Marte is crucial to them making a deep playoff run. They should just ditch the platoon and down the stretch put Luis at 2nd and McNeil in RF. Play Canha 3 of every four in LF. Peterson looked great tonight. Kudos to Vientos getting the walk. His plate discipline isn’t great so that’s encouraging. LFGM
The Mets look fine to me.
You can dump the depth charts with the way MLB is played today.
Teams are constructing rosters with many players that can perform at multiple positions. They use analytics not just to determine the best matchups starting the game, but to make in-game moves depending on the situations and the opposing managers moves.
It seems no teams fans complain about their team as much as those in NYC and Boston. I understand the Mets fans years of frustration, but please don’t stoop to the level of Yankee and Red Sox fans. I know it’s a cliché, but Mets fans are (definitely) better than that. Show your class! Your team is only beginning to be a power in MLB – they’ve passed the Yankees this year and will be NYC’s best performing professional sports team for at least the next decade.
11 men LOB and 2-13 with RISP is not fine and won’t cut it in the postseason. Unfortunately, today’s game is a case in point for what I wrote last night. The Mets won’t win the division or go far in the postseason if they continue to scuffle with RISP I don’t care how good theit pitching is. I’m dreading this series on the road against a suddenly hot Brewers.
Oh, please…….
I can take select stats and make a case that every possible playoff contender can’t possibly win if they get to the playoffs.
Guillorme is nop every day player stop ✋ with that plz is better McNeil in 2 in mix in the outfield
Pizza Alonso for when six button? After champions turning. California New York walks into t’ironisai. !
I want what he’s drinking
I don’t think earning a bye to the division series gets teams over a full week off. By my count it’s five days. Still a good chunk of time to get healthy and set your rotation.
A full week is almost detrimental. You don’t want your bullpen not to be sharp.
I dont really care what Nogsek’s stats say, when he pitches its like batting practice out there. Haven’t seen a pitcher give up so many hard hit balls in forever. Hes going to blow some games this week, I can already sense it. No contending team should have Nogosek in their bullpen, hes basically their version of a white flag
I’d rather see Nogo out there than Medina or Lopez or other lower depth chart guys
To me Alex Claudio is the best of the lower depth chart guys
There is actually a stat for “hard hit balls” you could check out if you want an objective data point. There are a few options if you look.
Maybe you should pay a little more attention to stats instead of seeing what you believe.
I’m not really expecting much from Megill anymore. Seems he has dead arm syndrome
Five days off is quite a lot. That’s a long time to go without regular reps or competitive game action. Takes a game or two at least to get back in the flow
It could be one advantage in being the wild card team
Watched a lot of NYM. Marte is absolutely key to team potential post season success. There have been many games where SP does the job but rest of bats are quiet and he carries team
Alonso is a troublemaker and immature. player. Players get hit and Alonso dives out over the plate and gets hit with inside pitches, should be suspended.
I’m not sure the 96mph fastball two feet up and in is hill you want to die on in making the “Pete Alonso stands too close” argument.
But you do you, honey.
Adding Peterson and Megill to the ‘pen will only help as both can go out for multiple innings.
I don’t have much confidence in Givens (he gets stats like Familia did), May, Rodriguez or Lugo. All the righties give up too much hard contact and Rodriguez can be very wild in crucial situations.
The plus is that Walker AND Carrasco may also end up in the ‘pen in October. Unless the Mets are up 3-0, I think only Scherzer, deGrom and Bassett get every start. Walker and Carrasco need to really be skipped a start in September if possible to rest up, but the division is too close.
Are you suggesting a 3man rotation for the post season?