New York Mets All-Star Outfielder May Not Return This Season
It's not looking good.
New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte spoke with reporters on Friday before his team's series opener with the Los Angeles Angels and provided an update on his groin injury.
Marte does not know if he will be back this season and indicated that he is not close to a return.
“We don’t know yet,” Marte said through an interpreter after being asked if he will be able to play in September, via MLB.com. “It could be. It could not be. We’re just trying to go through the proper procedures and the proper methods and the proper training to be able to get to that point. But right now, it’s too early to tell.”
Earlier in the week, Marte received a second injection on the right side of his groin, which has been nagging him since going on the injured list in early August. This time, the injection was targeted to a specific area to differentiate it from the one he received two weeks ago.
Marte underwent double groin surgery in the offseason, which he has said has bothered him all season. It has clearly affected his performance as he has had a poor season offensively.
When asked if he will need another surgery in the offseason, Marte had this to say: “It’s complicated. That’s a conversation that’s going to have to be had with the trainers. I’m sure they’re talking about it. They’re having meetings about it. They probably know better than I do.”
The Mets are hoping that Marte's situation will resolve itself, as he is projected to be one of their starting outfielders for the next two seasons. Marte is under contract through 2025 and is still owed $41.5 million across the next two years. Last season, Marte had 16 home runs and a .815 OPS in 118 games and received MVP votes. But it has been the complete opposite for him this year, as he has just five homers and a .625 OPS in 86 games.
