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Starling Marte told the New York Daily News that he’s still battling pain and soreness from the double groin surgery he underwent in the offseason. Marte said through his interpreter that it’s largely affected his hitting, limiting how much he can rotate when he swings. The 34-year-old was an All-Star in 2022 but is having the worst season of his career by almost every metric in 2023. Marte says his groin is getting better little by little, and that he doesn’t feel it’s affecting his running speed.

Latest Mets News

The Mets begin a three-game series with White Sox today at Citi Field. Carlos Carrasco (3-3, 5.16 ERA) will look to build off his strong final outing of the first half against Lucas Giolito (6-5, 3.45 ERA). Carrasco has faced the White Sox more than any other team in his career, owning a 4.14 ERA with 180 strikeouts in 163 innings against them. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Billy Eppler has reportedly traveled to Japan this year to watch right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitch. The 24-year-old righty has dominated NPB this season, pitching to a 1.61 ERA with 110 strikeouts against 12 walks, and allowing just two homers in 100 1/3 innings.

Mets relievers T.J. McFarland and Stephen Ridings have both cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse. Both players were designated for assignment last week.

Latest MLB News

The Cardinals have designated hard-throwing lefty Génesis Cabrera for assignment. Cabrera has struggled to a 5.06 ERA/5.01 FIP in 32 innings this year.

Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson has emerged as a potential trade target for the Yankees. Carlson is hitting .237/.343/.367 (96 OPS+) this season and is expected to see his playing time diminish once Tyler O’Neill comes back from the injured list.

ESPN national baseball writer Jeff Passan posted on Twitter that he suffered a broken back while cleaning up after a storm recently. Passan writes that he was crushed by a large tree limb.

Many fans have wondered about how MLB could spice All-Star week, and Jayson Stark of The Athletic writes about the possibility of adding a Legends Home Run Derby. Ken Griffey Jr., Albert Pujols, Jim Thome, and David Ortiz said already that they would participate if the event is ever held.

Starling Marte. Photo by Ed Delaney, MMO

Latest on MMO

Johnluke Chaparro looks at Max Scherzer‘s bounce-back performance on Sunday.

Mike Mayer writes about who’s hot and who’s not in the latest 3 Up, 3 Down.

Jack Markowski writes about David Robertson‘s strong season and his trade value.

On This Date in Mets History

2000: Mike Piazza breaks a 3-3 tie in the fifth inning with a grand slam off Chris Carpenter, his third slam of the season. Lenny Harris and Derek Bell also go deep as the Mets down the Blue Jays, 11-7.

2001: The Mets tie their game against the Marlins in the bottom of the ninth inning thanks to a single, a hit batsman, and an error by Florida shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Tsuyoshi Shinjo wins the game on a double in the bottom of the 11th.

2021: The Mets fall behind 6-0 in the bottom of the first inning against the Pirates after Taijuan Walker swipes away Kevin Newman‘s infield grounder, leading to three runs scoring while Walker and Tomás Nido argue that the ball was fair. After the dust settles, Travis Blankenhorn hits a three-run homer for his first career long ball, and Michael Conforto hits a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth as the Mets salvage the series finale, 7-6.

Birthdays: Joe Torre (83), Robert Gsellman (30)