May 30, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Starling Marte (6) reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets could be without their starting right fielder for a bit.
According to Jon Heyman, Starling Marte will have an MRI on his left quad today but the Mets organization sees a trip to the injured list as a likelihood.
In Tuesday night’s loss to the Padres, Marte departed after an awkward slide into second base on a steal attempt in the first inning. He came up limping.
Marte has played in 50 games for the Mets this season, batting .277/.316/.441 to go along with eight stolen bases, seven home runs, and 33 runs batted in.
The 33-year-old had a slow start to his season, batting under .225 in April but he surged in May putting together a slash line of .340/.359/.570 across 23 games.
New York is already shallow in the outfield. Dominic Smith was sent down to Triple-A and Travis Jankowski will remain on the IL for a bit of time. The Mets did recall outfielder Nick Plummer who has two home runs and five RBIs in 15 at-bats this season.
In all likelihood, Jeff McNeil will move to left field, where he’s already started 21 games this season, and Luis Guillorme will be the Mets’ full-time second baseman.
The Mets are banged up but have still pursued the best record in the National League. What will impact the Mets more than losing Marte is if Pete Alonso‘s second set of scans does not come back clean.
Alonso left Tuesday’s game as well after he was hit on the wrist by a pitch in the bottom of the first. X-rays came back negative on the first baseman but he’s set to undergo additional tests Wednesday.
