The Mets might use Starling Marte now greater than ever, however Monday’s replace on the injured All-Star outfielder was the identical because it was final week: not imminent.
Marte, who has been coping with a partial non-displaced fracture in his proper center finger, swung a bat off a brief toss with each fingers Monday afternoon however it didn’t sound as if it went effectively.
“I don’t think that got a real good return,” supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned Monday at Citi Field earlier than the Mets scheduled sport towards the Washington Nationals.
Marte, who was injured in a sport towards the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 6, remains to be not taking part in baseball actions and the main focus is now on managing the ache and swelling. The Mets aren’t able to rule him out for a possible Wild Card spherical this weekend at Citi Field, with Showalter saying they’ll reassess later within the week.
“We’ll see what the next three days bring,” he mentioned.
Marte’s bat has been badly missed. The Mets have been struggling on the plate and put up only a .624 OPS over their final 5 video games, two at house towards the Miami Marlins and three on the highway towards the Atlanta Braves. They’ve scored solely 16 runs in that span, the fourth fewest quantity within the league. The Mets had been swept by Atlanta this weekend largely due to their incapacity to drive runners in.
Of course, the offensive struggles can’t be pinned totally on Marte, however it’s clear that his absence has been felt. Tyler Naquin will battle on the plate however he doesn’t precisely deliver the identical worry for pitchers that Marte does.
“He’s just such a well-rounded player. He was such a good addition for us,” Showalter mentioned. “The people that have taken his place are capable of doing some of the same things but he’s got a track record. He stretches out our lineup and creates some problems for bullpens. I think that well-rounded game [is what’s missed]. He doesn’t have to hit the ball out of the park; he can steal a base. He’s really a good fit for who we’ve tried to be.”
Marte hit .292 with a .814 OPS and 16 house runs in 118 video games earlier than the damage.
ALL-STAR ESCOBAR
Eduardo Escobar was named the National League Player of the Month for September, turning into the primary Mets participant to win the award since David Wright in June of 2010. The Venezuela native slashed .340/.393/.649 with 16 runs, 33 hits, eight house runs and 24 RBI in 26 video games. He amassed a 10-game hitting streak from Sept. 2-12 and hit .500 over that span. He additionally hit his first profession grand slam towards the Oakland A’s on Sept. 23 and drove in all 5 runs in a 5-4 extra-inning win towards the Marlins 4 days later.
It’s a powerful stat line, however what’s extra spectacular is that it got here after one of many worst months the third baseman has had in years. He hit simply .176 in August, resulting in questions on whether or not or not the Mets ought to hold enjoying him in the midst of a pennant race.
But Escobar successfully turned it round and now the Mets can’t afford to take a seat him.
“It’s more than just the physical part of it,” Showalter mentioned. “He got to a good place mentally and emotionally. I do know he did some things mechanically that kind of helped him. Something kind of clicked. As far as what comes first, the chicken or the egg, it seems like sometimes guys aren’t swinging the bat well and then all of the sudden they get a swinging bunt, a broken bat flare somewhere. Two bad swings and then the ball looks like a watermelon coming in there.”
VOGELBACH GIVES BACK
Fort Myers native Daniel Vogelbach has partnered with a Florida-based charity known as Community Cooperative to assist increase cash for these impacted by Hurricane Ian. While his home and the home of his dad and mom survived final week’s storm with minimal injury, a lot of his pals weren’t so fortunate.
Fans should purchase NFTs or donate immediately by way of his web site, VogelbachCares.org. The proceeds go to Community Cooperative, which is at present aiding residents with meals and housing for the reason that Category 4 storm decimated the town.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com