Starling Marte Heading to IL

Starling Marte has been placed on the injured list ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Miami Marlins, the team announced.

The 33-year-old outfielder left Tuesday night’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being plunked on the right middle finger from Pirates starter Mitch Keller. Marte, already trying to manage a nagging lower-body injury, will have to deal with yet another injury, this time a displaced fracture on that finger he was plunked on.

Official: Starling Marte is on the IL with a fractured right middle finger.

The Mets are calling up Mark Vientos for tonight.

Marte’s stint is backdated to Wednesday. So he is eligible to return a week from today.

— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) September 10, 2022

The IL stint is backdated to Tuesday, so Marte will be set to return in exactly one week. Marte is slashing .292/.347/.468 on the season, along with 16 home runs and 63 RBI.

With Marte going to the IL, the Mets called up No. 7 prospect Mark Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse. Vientos is slashing .280/.358/.519, along with 24 home runs and 72 RBI. Vientos is also slashing .330/.408/.732 against lefties this season.