Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Updated Post – Feb. 23, 13:55

Mets right fielder Starling Marte took live batting practice on Thursday in Mets camp off starter Kodai Senga. Marte also took full regular BP as he recovers from groin surgery.

Buck Showalter told the media after BP that the Mets have a date in mind for when Marte will likely start playing in games, but don’t want to get it out there publicly yet.

Original Post – Feb. 20, 10:48

Starling Marte is taking things slow after offseason core muscle surgery.

The Mets outfielder underwent surgery in November. Marte said the procedure occurred on both groins, to tendons that had separated form the leg. One of the procedures – done on his right leg – was preventative, while the operation done on his left leg was the repair.

“It was bothering me for the better part of the season … and thankfully I was able to finish the season,” Marte said. “Once the season ended, that is when we decided to have the operation.”

Marte played 118 games last season and just five during the Mets division race in September and October due to a broken middle finger. He made a return for the playoffs where he went 2-for-12 in three games.

Marte plans to play Opening Day. He nor the Mets are rushing him and it resulted in him removing himself from consideration for the World Baseball Classic as a member of the Dominican Republic’s team.

“We have been in constant contact all offseason,” Marte said of his communication with the team. “I have flown up to New York, they evaluated me there and they evaluated me when I got here. Now we’re trying to start a plan for this spring training just to make sure that I’m ready.

“The biggest factor in [missing the WBC] is having the operation and not being at 100 percent, to be able to play at the highest level in a situation like that. It’s unfortunate I am not able to represent my country this go-around, but you just have to move along and make sure you are ready for the season.”

Marte is entering year two of a four-year, $78 million contract with the Mets. He was integral to New York’s offensive success slashing .292/.347/.468 primarily out of the two-spot in the lineup. He also made the switch to right field, improving his defensive metrics.

The one area that Marte didn’t shine in was stolen bases. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t fully healthy but he only attempted 27 steals last season after trying 52 times the season prior. With improved health and bigger bases Marte could be back to being the elusive base stealer he was before.

“If I’m healthy, most definitely, I’ve always been an aggressive player,” Marte said. “I’ve always been a player that likes to run a lot to get into scoring position so the batter can drive me in. So it really depends on health there and I can do that on the bases and also in the field.”