The Mets are still waiting for the debut of one of their premier free agent signings during the winter.
Centerfielder Starling Marte, who the Mets signed to a four-year, $78 million deal in December, has yet to start hitting this spring due to an oblique injury. It’s expected to be another week until he ramps up that activity and is cleared to begin swinging a bat.
“We’ll see how we feel once I start hitting,” Marte said. “If I feel good, we’ll keep hitting. We’ve got time for Opening Day, so one more week we will be ready.”
Marte reported to camp with discomfort in his left oblique that happened during his offseason workouts.
According to manager Buck Showalter, Marte hasn’t taken any steps backward during camp. He also went under multiple imaging tests that came back negative for structural damage.
The Mets are taking a cautious approach with the 33-year-old. Last season he missed 40 games due to a triumvirate of injuries. He had a fractured rib, was hit in the head by a pitch, and his lat muscle shut him down toward the end of the year.
Marte has had injuries to his oblique before. In 2018, he was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain, missing 10 games. In 2019 he went on the IL with an abdominal wall contusion. In his rookie season in 2012, Marte strained his right oblique and was out 19 days.
Marte has participated in team workouts but losing him for Opening Day limits the Mets at the top of their lineup. In primarily a leadoff role last season, Marte slashed .310/.383/.458 and led the majors with 47 stolen bases while only being caught five times.
If he’s unable to go, expect Brandon Nimmo to slide back over to center field for the time being although the team hasn’t made the full determination where Nimmo and Marte are going to play this upcoming season.
“Our three [outfielders] have played anywhere, so Nimmo is a good outfielder — center fielder, right field, left field,” Marte said. “I am kind of the same thing so anywhere they need it.”
