The excellent news is that Mets’ outfielder Starling Marte handed concussion protocol Sunday and seems to be within the clear so far as head accidents go in the future after sliding into Jean Segura’s knee at third base. The dangerous information is that he nonetheless has neck ache and is out of the lineup Monday towards the San Diego Padres, although the Mets are hopeful they will use him in later innings if needed.
For now, Marte remains to be thought-about day-to-day.
“The concussed part of it, we think we’re in pretty good shape, but the neck is a little bit sore today,” supervisor Buck Showalter stated Monday afternoon. “I’m hoping that it manages as we go forward and that he might be available at some point tonight, but I’m not sure yet.”
This was the second time Marte had been checked for a concussion within the final month, being hit by a pitch within the head final month throughout spring coaching. He cleared protocol with none signal of head accidents each occasions, which is encouraging, however the Mets are nonetheless making an attempt to be further cautious in relation to the top and neck.
“He had a pretty good lick there, I could see it,” Showalter stated.
The Mets can hardly afford to lose Marte for a protracted time frame. Marte isn’t the first offensive driver of the lineup however he’s a useful piece. The lineup is closely reliant on hitters 1-5 with the ability to get on base and transfer runners over, and Marte additionally brings velocity and baserunning.
Through Sunday, he’s hit .303 with a house run, two RBI with 4 stolen bases and a 129 OPS+. Last season, the Mets’ offense sputtered with out him after shedding him for an prolonged time frame with a fractured proper center finger. There had been a couple of huge video games towards some dangerous groups however by no means was his absence felt greater than within the closing street sequence of the season in Atlanta when the Mets managed solely seven runs in three video games and stranded 16 runners.
Without Marte, the large hits the Mets wanted by no means got here.
Luckily, this harm seems to be minor.
“We hope it’s short-lived,” Showalter stated. “He took a pretty good pop there, almost a form of whiplash.”
NO HARD FEELINGS
The final time the Padres had been on the town they knocked the Mets out of the postseason, taking the NL Wild Card sequence, 2-1, final October. The 101-win Mets had been surprised. Some ruminated on the loss all winter. The emotions of loss and disappointment have lengthy since light away. The common season is properly underway and the one factor the Mets can give attention to now could be successful this present sequence.
“Yeah, it stung, but it’s a new season and we just need to focus on winning today,” first baseman Pete Alonso stated. “Last year is last year. For me, I’ve kind of closed that yearbook and it’s time to move on.”
Alonso has hit safely in every of the final 4 video games, going 6-for-16 with 4 runs, 4 residence runs, 9 RBI and a stroll. He leads the league with 5 residence runs, with 4 alone within the final three video games.
“I’m not chasing and just capitalizing on stuff in my zone,” he stated.
STICKING WITH IT
The Mets are rolling with Eduardo Escobar at third base regardless of his gradual begin. With Jeff McNeil taking part in in proper subject rather than the injured Marte on Monday, Luis Guillorme was wanted at second base, that means Escobar manned the recent nook and hit eighth. After homering on Saturday and doubling on Sunday, the Mets are hopeful that the veteran third baseman is beginning to determine it out on the plate after a chat with the supervisor in Milwaukee final week.
“He’s always been the same guy through thick and thin,” Showalter stated. “I think everybody feels for him a little bit and they’ll tell you. I think some of the light might be more on him at this time but he welcomes that challenge.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com