BOSTON
Sterling Marte made a return to left field on Wednesday night, a position he hadn’t played since, well, 2017. It felt a bit strange, I guess—like slipping into an old jacket that you weren’t sure you still fit into. But there he was, part of the Mets’ lineup against the Red Sox.
In the game, Marte went an impressive 3-for-3, contributing to a solid 5-1 win for the Mets. Back in 2016, he earned Gold Glove honors while playing left field for the Pirates, which is noteworthy—not that many people keep track of those things unless they’re die-hard fans.
The game featured left-handed pitcher Garrett Croche for the Red Sox, which surely made for some interesting matchups. Manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned that Marte didn’t seem too concerned about Fenway Park’s infamous Green Monster. That’s a relief—Fenway can be a tricky place to play, or so I’ve heard from those who’ve been there.
“I had a conversation with him a couple of days ago to prep him for today,” Mendoza shared. “He’s played out there, and we’re glad to have him back.” This was actually just Marte’s second start in the outfield this season, as he’s also spent time in right field.
Mendoza expressed appreciation for the presence of special assistant Carlos Beltran, who had been with the team recently. Beltran attended meetings and mingled with players, which is always nice. He’s been around a while—his own transition to the Mets was quite a story.
There’s been some talk about Juan Soto, too. Apparently, conversations are happening around Soto’s situation, which seems pretty intriguing. “Beltran’s been through similar phases,” Mendoza noted. “I’m sure those discussions are ongoing.” It’s interesting how these connections work in baseball. You never fully know who’s talking to whom behind the scenes.
In the minor leagues, Paul Blackburn shined, allowing just one hit over seven shutout innings for Triple A Syracuse. He’s hoping to make a smooth rehab return. With the Mets’ roster filled with right-handed pitchers, decisions loom. It’s a good problem, I suppose, but a tough one. Sometimes, teams just can’t find the right fit.
Blackburn’s situation is a bit tricky. He has no minor league options left, and the clock on his rehabilitation is ticking down. Mendoza conveyed some uncertainty, saying, “It’s a challenging choice since everyone is healthy and performing well. But we’ll see how things play out.” It’s all part of the game, right?
Last but not least, José Siri is working on his recovery from a broken left tibia. He’s started doing sprinting and batting drills, which is promising. Since April 17, he’s been on the injured list, and it’s good to see players making strides, I think.
