While the development of one Mets outfielder has slowed, another Mets outfield prospect is returning to the field.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Starling Marte’s latest MRI showed “improvement” but not enough to allow the 35-year-old to resume baseball activities.
Marte, who had been sidelined for about three weeks with a bone bruise in his right knee, underwent a follow-up exam on Wednesday that showed the bone bruise was healing.
But Marte is still in pain.
“He’s still in pain with some of the activities,” Mendoza said before the end of Thursday’s series against the Nationals at Citi Field. “Once he’s out of pain, he should be back on his feet pretty quickly.”
Manager Mendoza said on June 25 that Marte would be out of baseball activities for two weeks. Sixteen days later, Marte still had not been cleared.
The initial hopeful timeline had Marte back within four weeks, but it looks like he’ll need a lot longer than that after posting a .745 OPS through the first 66 games of the season.
Drew Gilbert’s development was better. The Mets’ No. 3 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, began a rehab assignment with the Mets of the Florida Coast League on Thursday, batting second and playing center field.
Gilbert returned last season in the Justin Verlander trade and started this season with Triple-A Syracuse but suffered a hamstring injury after just seven games.
“I think it’s important for him to get on the field and play, especially with how long he’s been out,” Mendoza said of Gilbert, who hasn’t played since April 6. “I know how important he is and how important it is for his development for him to finally get on the field. I know it’s been a long journey for him.”
The Mets are still waiting to hear on Reid Garrett, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday.
The right-hander complained of elbow/forearm pain and was scheduled to undergo an evaluation.
“We’re seeing multiple doctors before we can make any decisions,” Mendoza said. “Hopefully we’ll know something by the end of today.”
Mendoza said pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) is scheduled to make his third minor league rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Syracuse.
The right-hander will be on four days of rest instead of five for the first time, brought forward because the minor league season, like the major league season, begins its break on Monday.
Mendoza said he expects Senga to pitch four innings, throwing 60-65 pitches.
“He’s getting close,” Mendoza said, “but again, we’ll just have to take it day by day, game by game, and see how he responds every time he throws.”
