Outfielder Starling Marte is on the New York Mets' Wild Card Series roster, the team announced Friday. Marte has not played since Sept. 6, when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken finger. As recently as last week, Marte was still experiencing discomfort and unable to properly grip a bat or throw a ball. The Mets and Padres behind their Wild Card Series on Friday.
"I'm never going to say never," Mets manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday when asked about Marte's availability for the Wild Card Series (via MLB.com). "... You can't swing a bat, you can't throw a ball, it's going to be hard."
Not only is Marte on the Wild Card Series roster, he is in the Game 1 lineup. Marte is batting sixth and playing his usual right field. The team is unsure how much he'll contribute, and it's possible Marte will be removed from the game if things aren't working out.
The 33-year-old Marte was an All-Star this season and he authored a .292/.347/.468 batting line with 16 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 118 games before suffering the injury. Tyler Naquin and Jeff McNeil handling right field duty during Marte's absence. When McNeil played right, Luis Guillorme slotted in at second base.
Here is New York's 26-man Wild Card Series roster:
Catchers (3): Francisco Álvarez, James McCann, Tomas NidoInfielders (6): Pete Alonso, Eduardo Escobar, Luis Guillorme, Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Daniel VogelbachOutfielders (5): Mark Canha, Terrance Gore, Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo, Darin RufStarters (3): Chris Bassitt, Jacob deGrom, Max ScherzerRelievers (9): Edwin Díaz, Mychal Givens, Seth Lugo, Trevor May, Tylor Megill, Adam Ottavino, David Peterson, Joely Rodríguez, Drew SmithNotably absent are Naquin and infield prospect Mark Vientos, a righty bat. That suggests there is at least some hope the righty swinging Marte will be able to hit at some point this series, especially since the San Diego is carrying five lefties on their roster (Josh Hader, Tim Hill, Sean Manaea, Adrian Morejon, and Blake Snell).
Scherzer will start Game 1 on Friday and the Mets have not yet announced their Game 2 starter. If they win Game 1, they may start Bassitt in Game 2 in an effort to save deGrom for a potential Game 1 start in the NLDS.
