As the New York Mets vie for a wild-card spot in the final stretch of the season, they are hoping to reintegrate one of their key players. Right fielder Starling Marte has been sidelined since late June due to a recurring knee injury. In his absence, the Mets have been using Tyrone Taylor, DJ Stewart, and recently acquired Jesse Winker in right field. Marte, however, is on the mend and will begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday, signaling a potential return.
**Mets Outfielder to Start Rehab Assignment**
Before his injury, Marte was having a solid season, particularly offensively. Over 66 games, he posted a .278/.328/.416 line with 68 hits, 7 home runs, 30 RBI, and 12 stolen bases, achieving an OPS of .745 and an OPS+ of 114. He was a reliable hitter for the Mets until his injury. Despite his offensive contributions, his defense was lacking, with a UZR of -6.8 and a UZR/150 of -17.8. His Statcast outs above average (OAA) for the season is -9.
Starling Marte will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A St. Lucie tomorrow, Carlos Mendoza said. He’ll be the DH.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 6, 2024
**What Marte’s Return Means for the Mets**
At 35, Marte’s primary value lies in his offensive abilities, which the Mets could greatly benefit from. The team has struggled offensively in recent weeks, particularly with runners in scoring position. While Marte’s defensive skills are currently not as strong as Taylor’s or Winker’s, his bat and base-stealing threat add significant value. Additionally, Marte’s versatility allows him to be placed at either the top or middle of the Mets’ lineup.
