MIAMI — The Mets have one last player who could return from injured reserve before the end of the season.
Starling Marte, who was with the Mets this week, could play in a mock game in Port St. Lucie in the near future and could return to the club, manager Buck Showalter said.
The veteran outfielder has been on the IL since August 6 due to a muscle tear in his right groin.
Last offseason, Marte underwent surgery on both groins.
“He looks really good,” Showalter said before the Mets’ 4-3 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday.
“I can see he’s moving really well. I think it’s good for him to go home. [for the offseason] We know that some of the new approaches to physical therapy and the things that they’ve been doing are working. I think it’s good to see him get over it and he’s making enough progress. He has no new injuries. … I want him to play in as many games as they think he should. ”
Mets top prospect Luisangel Acuña left the playoff game against Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday night after being hit by a pitch in the face.
Acuña initially crouched on the ground, but then left the field on his own, according to reports.
He appeared to be covered in blood.
The Mets acquired the 21-year-old infielder in the July trade that sent Max Scherzer to Texas.
Coach Showalter said he plans to start Brett Batty at third base on Wednesday.
The rookie was sidelined last week with a strained left groin, giving Ronnie Mauricio an opportunity at the position.
Mauricio will move to second base and Jeff McNeil will return to the outfield.
A day after it became official that Edwin Diaz won’t pitch for the Mets this season, Showalter expressed relief that he won’t have to worry about the All-Star closer’s physical health.
Diaz is rehabbing from patellar ligament surgery on his right knee, but the right-hander might have had a chance to return had the Mets made the playoffs.
“You try to think, ‘This would be great, I’ll get him there and they’ll play the song,’ but what if that doesn’t work?” Showalter said. Ta. “Where is he? What if he goes to cover first and it’s not good? With every purchase we make, we are closer to his presence [100 percent]”
Diaz will continue to pitch until the end of the season.
