Mets outfielder Starling Marte hasn’t appeared in the majors in nearly a month due to a right groin strain, and MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo notes that the veteran has received two cortisone injections and spent the past week working with a lower leg specialist in Philadelphia in hopes of returning to the field this season. Per DiComo, Marte’s discussion with reporters proved to come with news that’s both encouraging and ominous: while Marte is optimistic that he’ll be able to play for the Mets again in 2023, it’s possible Marte will have to undergo a groin surgery identical to the one he underwent back in November this offseason.
Marte made the second All Star appearance of his career with the Mets in 2022, slashing a strong .292/.347/.468 with a 134 wRC+ in 505 trips to the plate with the club last year. The now 34-year-old veteran struggled badly this season prior to heading to the injured list, however, slashing just .248/.301/.324 in 341 trips to the plate. That performance is good for a wRC+ of just 76 this year, 24% worse than league average. With two years and over $40MM left on Marte’s contract, the possibility of another season hampered by the same offseason surgery that hindered him this season is sure to be worrisome for Mets fans. The club is currently relying on DJ Stewart and Jeff McNeil in the outfield corners alongside Brandon Nimmo in center.
More from New York’s teams…
- Sticking with the Mets, GM Billy Eppler spoke to Jim Duquette and Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio this afternoon. During the conversation, Eppler indicated to the duo that the Mets would be active in the starting pitching market this offseason. That should hardly come as a surprise, given the club shipped out Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the trade deadline earlier this season, leaving the club with few surefire starting options outside of Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana headed into next year. Youngsters David Peterson and Tylor Megill are currently in the rotation for the club, but both sport ERAs over 5.00 this season. Fortunately for the Mets, the upcoming free agent pitching class is deep with quality options, including the likes of Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
- The Yankees lost right-hander Ian Hamilton to the injured list earlier today thanks to a right groin strain, with fellow righty Greg Weissert replacing him on the active roster. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch) that Hamilton’s injury is the same one that caused him to miss roughly six weeks earlier this summer. Per Hoch, the club is holding out hope that Hamilton will be able to return this year, but Boone acknowledged it’s possible he’s done for the season. Hamilton joined the club on a minor league deal back in February and has proven to be a stalwart member of the club’s bullpen this year, with a 2.24 ERA and 2.74 FIP in 52 1/3 innings of work.
- Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has been out since last month due to post-concussion syndrome, is going through baseball activities in New York, as Boone told reporters (including Hoch) this evening. While Rizzo has not suffered a setback as he looks to return to the field, Boone indicated that the club intends to sit down with their veteran first baseman in order to discuss Rizzo’s progress in rehabbing the injury. With less than a month left in the regular season and Rizzo seemingly not close to beginning a rehab assignment, it seems unlikely that the 33-year-old will return this season, though Boone said as recently as August 23 a return before the end of the year was “realistic,” per MLB.com.
The Yankees lost right-hander Ian Hamilton to the injured list earlier today thanks to a right groin strain.
Dr. Boonedoggle strikes again. The punk with a whopping 14 major league innings under his belt and he’s on pace for over 60 innings?
But he’s Mr. Tough Guy throwing at the Rays.
Good riddance jerk.
Calm down. It’s just baseball.
Baseball is life. Why aren’t you appropriately fired up?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Mets continue expediting their franchise make over by taking on distressed assets tied to prospects. Maybe they’ll take on half of the salaries of Anthony Rendon and/or Javy Baez for some young pitching. If they don’t then we should all scream in the streets about the Yankee conspiracy and Boone and FIRE the GM and no!! I just can’t take it!! And the Mets! Why! We need Strawberry and Gooden types!! Where are they!! Fire everyone! Sign all the Ohtani types!!
What!?
You read that right Ron Weasley (I’m assuming that’s why you left out ur last name Rupert;)
He’s a Red Sox troll.
“The punk” lol. Seriously it is just baseball.
I’m so confused by this article… wtf? Sit marte this year and get him healthy for next year
The Mets should be active in the pitching market this off-season since they currently roster 1 actual MLB pitcher on their roster.
They aren’t that good at rostering on their roster
I assume you’re talking about Senga, but Quintana is also a good/serviceable back end starter. But yes, they do need starting pitching badly. Would love to see them go hard for Yamamoto and sign some filler SPs for the rest of the staff. Peterson could get another shot but Megill does not belong as a starter. Do not want them to go after Snell as I feel like that has buyer’s remorse written all over it.
I think they should go for Urias and Yamamoto
Cancel going after Urias!!!!!
LOL! a lot can change in a few hours!
I miss the good ole days of Omar Minaya. He would’ve totally still gone after Urias this offseason.
He would’ve seen Urias as an opportunity to buy low before he and Cohen sign Urias for 10 years.
And when questioned about the decision, Minaya would blame Adam Rubin for asking the question and reporting the story, then Minyaya would blame Lastings Milledge for what Urias is accussed of doing.
LOL!
Mets will overpay for either Urias or Snell–or both…
Nope. One pitcher will be Yamamoto.
I dont see them going for snell at all thankfully
After last nights events they would be wise to stay away from Urias as well
Loved Rizzo on the Cubs but glad him Bryant and Baez didn’t accept Cubs contract offers
None of their offers to those three were serious offers based on the ages at the time. The Cubs made them to save face. Plus I’m not so sure Bryant wanted to stay after they blatantly manipulated his service time.
Rizzo’s was a serious offer of 5/60.. Baez’s didn’t come together because of Covid (ready to wrap it up before they shut down ST according to him) and Bryant was reportedly offered one a couple years earlier.
Yeah he only hit like 9 homeruns in spring of 2015. But that’s what makes me a bleacher creature ebay
Rizzo and Baez turned down better offers from Cubs,Rizzo going to spend next 4 ears trying to make what he could have gotten from Cubs
I feel the same way. When it first happened, I felt Hoyer lowballed these guys. But with the benefit of hindsight, those offers were very fair. And yep, as much as I’ll always love those guys for finally getting us a title; Cubs are very fortunate that they are gone. (I still can’t believe they got PCA for 2 months of Javy.
Javy and a year plus of Trevor Williams. Williams didn’t do bad for the Mets in his full year there.
The Mets can fix up this team easily. Heres my 7 Step plan:
1. Fire Billy Eppler and Showalter. Eppler is the worst GM I’ve ever seen. I like Showalter but I think hes just too old now
2. Hire AJ Preller for GM and hire Joe Girardi as manager
3. Get rid of the guys you don’t need/ are awful. These guys include Vogelbach, Ortega, Drew Smith, Sean Ried-Foley, Arrauz, Mendick, Guillorme, Narvaez
4. Try to extend Alonso. Offer him the same contract that Nimmo got except with MVP incentives. If he declines, trade him with Peterson and Mark Veintos to the Orioles (who need a first baseman) for Heston Kjerstad and Grayson Rodriguez
5. Build up the bullpen. Diaz for the 9th, sign Hader (6 years 90 mil) for the 8th, sign Paul Sewald (3 years 21 mil) for the 7th, Otto will use his option, fill out the rest of the bullpen with Lavender, Coonrod, Bickford, Kolarek and Robertson.
6. Fill out the starting pitching. Give Yamamoto the same contract Senga got. Quitana becomes the fourth starter. 5th starter becomes Grayson Rodriguez. Trade for one year of Shane Bieber for Mike Vasil. Then extend Bieber
7. Nido becomes our backup catcher. Stewart takes over Vogelfats spot. 2nd is manned by Mauricio. 3rd is Baty. Outfield consists of Nimmo, Marte, and McNeil. Alvarez is the main catcher. Sign JD Martinez to be our right handed DH. First is manned by Kjerstad. Drew Gilbert becomes our fourth outfielder. Backup utility guy becomes Carlos Cortez
there is NO way Orioles make that deal, so go back to the drawing board
@Astros Hot Takes that deal is more than fair. Alonso is arguably the best power hitter in the game. His defense is average at best. David Peterson is a fifth starter with lots of potential to be a 3. Veintos is just a long term player throw in. Kjerstad has had heart problems, there is no telling how good hes going to be in the majors, just look at how bad Cowser has been after dominating triple A. As for Grayson Rodriguez, he is a long term project. The Orioles are contending now. Peterson is better than him right now, its not even close. This deal is perfect for both sides as of right now
You’re not getting Grayson, Mets dude; no way, no how.
Since his return from AAA, he’s gone
8 starts
Team is 4-4 He’s W-L:2-1
nearly 6 innings per start 47.2
33 hits 14 walks 1 hbp, for a whip right at 1
41 K’s, 2 HR
2.83 ERA 3.03 FIP
slash against him .199 .264 .271 .535
If you go last 7 starts, leaving out his first start after coming back up, it’s even better,
4-3 W-L:2-1 42.2 26 12 1 Whip .914
2.32 3.05 .178 .244 .247 .490 37 k’s, 2 HR
Grayson ain’t goin’ nowhere.
No 7 step plan is “easy”.
The Orioles NEED a 1st baseman?
LOL
They have 2 that are better all-around players than Alonso. And for a fraction of the salary.
And why in the world would they trade Grayson Rodriguez?
Lol there are Homer takes and then there is whatever this nonsense is. I honestly don’t even have the time or patience to break down the many ways you’re off your rocker here. But you are way off it. Like all the way off it.
He has to be trolling. Preller as GM and Girardi as coach give him away.
@rct its not like Girardi has a won a world series or anything… oh wait he has. As for Preller, he has assembled one of the best teams I’ve ever seen. Bad luck has been plagueing them all season, I don’t blame him at all
You forgot #8 – find some demented GMs around the league to trade for the Mets garbage players and Grayson Rodriguez.
@DakotaJoe the best pure power hitter in the game is garbage? Odd take
I wouldn’t say Alonso is garbage, But he’s not the best power hitter in the game. Right now, besides his HR and RBI totals, he’s not in the top ten in any category I can find, including Slugging%, OPS+, OBP, Offensive WAR, Total Bases. He’s arb-eligible next year, will be costly, then a free agent. He unquestionably has some value, but Baltimore is not trading for him. at that price.
@mikenmn
Hes still an elite power hitter. Last three years, being third in HR and second in RBI in all mlb in that home park is impressive. 7th overall in ISO, 14th in SLG, 19th WRC+. In fact alonso is 6th in WRC+ at 1b in that time and mountcastle is 21st.
Remember, alonso’s babip is 210 this year, which is a fluke. Hes not the best power hitter, but hes right up there.
There was a time when Ralph Kiner was the best pure power hitter in the game, for a last-place Pirates. Branch Rickey traded him to a pretty poor Cubs front office during his age 30 season. “We finished last with you, we can finish last without you”
Kiner is a PERFECT comp for Alonso.
“In 1962 Kiner joined the broadcast team of the expansion New York Mets. He said the Mets hired him “because I had a lot of experience with losing.”14 The Mets lost 120 games in their first season, even more than the 1952 Pirates.”
I’m talking about the garbage players he wants to get rid of, but a great hitter like Alonso.
Yamamoto’s easily getting Tanaka money plus
So bring in another bunch of old injury prone guys and push the payroll to $500m + luxury tax penalties and forfeit even more of their draft picks is a very Mets plan.
@Smacky who did I name who is old and injury prone? Shane Bieber who is 28 years old? JD Martinez who plays almost every game and obviously would be a better right handed DH option than anyone on the Mets right now currently?
The JD Martinez who’s currently on the injured list and has missed 44 games so far this year?
@Smacky They platoon JD a lot, thats why hes missed so many games
Youve been playing too much fantasy kid…
Preller? Really? That’s like Eppler redux. Girardi? He has no patience for young players. He’d be a disaster. Sign Hader for 6/90 million? HAHAHA…what are you smoking, man? Hader will command Diaz money. The only thing I’ll agree with you on is extending Alonso, and going after Yamamoto. Alonso won’t sign for Nimmo $$.
brooklyn62;
I don’t think he’s over 12 years-old.
Alonso should sign for olson money but he wont.
@Ma4170 he is not worth Olson money. Olson is a gold glove calibur defender. He was also 2 years younger than what Alonso will be when he reaches free agency when Olson signed that contract. Olson also hits for a higher average. I’m not saying Olson is better than Alonso, Olson strikesout too much for me to put him ahead. With that being said, Alonso is basically a 2 year older version of Olson with worse defense
2 year older version contract wise, I know Olson is a year older than Alonso
I thought olson’s contract started his age 29 season? I’m working under the assumption alonso’s extension would start age 30 season.
Watching alonso every day, i actually think he’s become decent on defense, far from when he started. In fact, i believe by DRS he’s better than olson this year. Offensively, theyre basically the same as far as stats like wrc+ and ops+. I think its the closest comp there is.
Senga and Quintana have been quite good. NYM will surely target 2 FA starters and there are lots of names to choose from domestically and one big one internationally. Neither Megill nor Peterson have earned #5. Maybe Peterson has edge because he’s LHP. Vasil or one of the prospects that took at leap this year @ AA could be the wild card.
I didn’t know the groin was in the lower leg.
DJ Stewart has been exceptional. Do you think the Mets will trade him to the Angels for some magic beans. The Angels don’t have many prospects left.
“Eppler indicated to the duo that the Mets would be active in the starting pitching market this offseason.” But WAIT!!! Supposedly they told Old Sticky Fingers that they weren’t going to sign a bunch of FA. Oh yeah, they were lying to his dumb ass so he would allow them to trade him.
A groin that reaches to the lower leg is not an injury, its a blessing 😉
Old Sticky Fingers was my grandpa’s nickname because he ate so many plums, but i assume you’re trying to steal my gramp’s moniker and pass it off to Scherzer.
Anywho, the Mets don’t have a real plan. They’re going to make uneven moves that signal “compete yesterday but never today.”
The bombers look interesting to see with the baby,,,sit Rizzo for the season
Again…Avi Garcia for Starling Marte…site unseen…no looking into the gift horse’s mouth. Let’s do it!