Starling Marte Doubles and Homers in Spring Debut
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Starling Marte was back in the Mets’ lineup on Friday for the first time since undergoing groin surgery in November to repair separated tendons in his groin. Marte looked healthy and ready to return and showed excitement in his return to the field.
Marte went 2-for-2 on Friday, hitting a double in his first at-bat of the afternoon and a two-run home run in his second at-bat of the day. He also played four innings in right field in the Mets’ 7-2 win over the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Given how key a piece Marte is in this lineup, the fact he looked so good in his first game back was pleasing for everyone concerned.
“I feel good, but I’m not at 100% right now,” Marte said. “We’re advancing day-by-day.”
Marte injured his goin and had issues with his quad early in 2022. He missed a little time due to the injury, but didn’t fully deal with it until the end of the 2022 season when he had the surgery. Though he doesn’t feel 100% now, Marte expects to be ready for Opening Day.
“Now that I’ve already started playing, I know that I’m starting to ramp up,” Marte said. “It’s slowly, just take it day by day. But as my body gets stronger throughout the next couple weeks, I should be ready for opening day at 100%.”
The Marte Parte has OFFICIALLY begun! pic.twitter.com/YlezcbljHK
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 10, 2023
Mets manager Buck Showalter also confirmed that Marte should also be ready for Opening Day. He joked with the media saying: “We’ll see him Opening Day, he’s done.”
Marte showed that he’s ready and showed that he has the ability to make an impact in the lineup. His double down the left-field line had a velocity of 103.5 mph. His two-run home run left the bat at 106.8 mph. But with an injury like his, he wants to make sure he’s ready.
“When it comes to the body, strengthening the body is the most important part for us,” Marte said. “To be able to make those small achievements throughout camp, that’s the most important part for me.”
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