Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mets fans will finally get to see Starling Marte in action on Sunday.
Per Deesha Thosar of Newsday, Marte will make his Mets debut in the Grapefruit League against the Cardinals on Sunday.
It will be a big moment for Marte, who has been sidelined for all of spring training so far with a sore left oblique, and it will also be a big moment for the Mets who will finally get to see the team’s new outfielder out on the field.
Marte has been stepping up his rehab this week, playing right field in a minor league exhibition game against the Astros on Wednesday, standing in the batter’s box and putting down a bunt, and running the bases.
After showing considerable improvement, Marte has now been cleared to play, and that puts him on track to be ready for Opening Day barring no setbacks.
UPDATE: After Saturday’s game, Mets manager Buck Showalter said Marte is pushing to play Sunday, but Marte is still not sure yet.
The All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner signed a four-year, $78 million deal with the Mets earlier in the offseason, and he led the majors in stolen bases last year with 47 while slashing .310/.381/.458 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI.
Marte is a considerable addition to the outfield. He’ll finally pull on a Mets jersey on Sunday, in the same game that both Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer will pitch in, making it a special day all around at Clover Park.
Meanwhile, Showalter also said James McCann is set to play Tuesday, while Taijuan Walker should be good for five innings his next outing.
