Starling

Marte

The Mets broke the game open with a five-run third inning. Marte was in the middle of it as he hit a two-run double and scored on an RBI single by Francisco Alvarez. Marte is quietly hitting .310 for the Mets this postseason.

He’s reportedly out of the lineup today — the Mets have thus far held off on posting it because they’re waiting on Francisco Lindor to get through workouts — but he might be ready to go Monday.

Marte drove in two runs with a two-run triple that gave the Mets a 4-0 cushion in the third. The Phillies would score the next six runs. Still a nice day for Marte, who also drew a walk with the bases loaded in the first. Marte hasn’t been anything close to elite in 2024, but his 15 steals in 82 games help compensate for a so-so line of .271/.320/.399.

Marte continues to be given days of rest since being taken off the injured list, and he’ll have another maintenance day against Toronto on Tuesday. DJ Stewart gets the start in left while Marte sits.

This was a frustrating day for the Mets offense as they made tons of contact against Julian Aguiar and the Reds’ bullpen but struggled to sustain a rally. Marte’s sixth inning single provided their only run and the lead for a brief moment before the Reds answered back. Marte’s value has taken a hit of late as he’s been pushed down the Mets’ order with the emergence of Mark Vientos, only plays a few days a week, and gets pulled nearly every game for a defensive replacement.

Marte is back and hitting fifth against the Marlins on Sunday in his return. The outfielder missed a little under two months with his knee injury and was hitting .278/.328/.416 before heading to the injured list. He was also running during his rehab assignment when on base, and he’s a good bet to help in a couple categories at least in his return to the New York lineup.

Marte made it through his final rehab game at Triple-A Syracuse without any issues on Friday and is ready to make his triumphant return to the Mets’ lineup. Before landing on the injured list on June 25, the 35-year-old outfielder was hitting .278/.328/.416 with seven homers, 30 RBI and 12 stolen bases through his first 66 games. He could wind up being an impact addition over the final six weeks of the season.

Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza said that if all goes well, Marte could rejoin the Mets on Sunday. The 35-year-old outfielder has been shelved since late June due to a bone bruise on his right knee — and then his rehab was pushed back a bit due to illness. He could wind up being a difference maker down the stretch in fantasy leagues if he can stay on the field.

Even though Nimmo is out of the lineup due to a virus, we also need to acknowledge that he has come out of the gates slow in the second half, hitting .140 with no home runs and 30 strikeouts in 23 games. Harrison Bader will start in center field on Thursday with Jeff McNeil sliding to right field so that Jose Iglesias can enter the lineup at second base. As far as Nimmo is concerned, he needs to start hitting again soon because Starling Marte is nearing a return from his rehab assignment, and that outfield is going to get a bit more crowded.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters earlier on Tuesday that Marte could potentially return this weekend, which would have some pretty significant ramifications for New York’s roster. The 35-year-old veteran has been out since late June recovering from a bone bruise in his right knee.