Outfielder Starling Marte was left out of the Mets’ lineup Saturday as a precaution because of a right knee injury.
The team’s starting right fielder also missed one game before the Mets’ tour of London earlier this month with the same symptoms.
“My knee is still a little swollen. [Friday] “He might play again,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the match. “I’m not too worried. He should be able to come off the bench, but we’ve decided to just wait and see for a day.”
Asked if the injury needed to be monitored regularly, Mendoza added: “It definitely needs to be monitored. We want to make sure this doesn’t become a long-term injury. He was feeling pretty good.” [Friday]I think he felt something after the steal. I checked with him after the game and he said he wanted to play, but that was [things] Be smart here and don’t force it.
“The report today is that he’s feeling a lot better, so that’s a good sign.”
Pitcher Kodai Senga, who has not pitched this season due to a tight right shoulder, threw his third bullpen session since suffering a triceps injury last month.
Mendoza said Senga threw 30 to 35 pitches, including two “up” or simulated innings.
“He threw about 15 pitches, kind of like two innings of bullpen time, and he felt good, so that’s a good sign,” Mendoza said. “He’ll probably throw one more pitch in the middle of next week, and then I think he’ll be able to move on to the next phase of facing hitters.”
Mendoza praised second-year catcher Francisco Alvarez’s defense since returning from the injured list.
“His leadership, his ability to communicate and build relationships with the pitchers and all of the coaching staff,” Mendoza said. “Obviously, his framing is really good and his arm can stop the running game, but I think just his ability to lead a pitching staff and know when to make adjustments and give those guys confidence. So, for a guy at that age (22), that’s pretty impressive.”
