Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The return of Mets right fielder and All-Star Starling Marte is not imminent according to manager Buck Showalter.

Marte has been out since September 6 when he was hit by a pitch from Pirates starter Mitch Keller on the hand that broke his right middle finger.

“A little progress but not enough to think something is imminent,” Showalter said.

The earliest Marte could return is Friday but what he can accomplish over the next couple of days will be critical in determining that, says the manager.

Marte was supposed to try swinging with two hands and grip/throw a baseball on Monday, says Tim Healey of Newsday. He had been unable to do either of those things since fracturing his finger.

The Mets also gave an update on rookie third baseman Brett Baty. He’s been cleared for baseball activities and is set to hit off a machine soon. Thursday will be five weeks since undergoing thumb surgery for a UCL tear. The Mets said “a typical return for this type of injury is five weeks” in August.

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