Sterling Marte’s Strong Comeback with the Mets
SAN FRANCISCO – Sterling Marte has contributed offensively to the Mets before an injury sidelined him in early July, but he’s found his stride since returning home.
In his first week back from the injured list, the veteran DH has recorded six hits in ten at-bats, helping the team to a 5-3 win against the Giants on Sunday, where he went 3-for-3.
Marte was out for two weeks due to a gel injection he received to alleviate discomfort in his right knee.
“He was huge for us,” manager Carlos Mendoza remarked before the game. “He continues to hit well against left-handed pitchers. He missed a few games, but when he came back, he seemed to pick up right where he left off.”
On the season, Marte boasts a .262/.364/.412 slash line, with four home runs and 20 RBIs. Back in the starting lineup on Sunday, he reached base three times for the second consecutive game.
Mendoza also had the option to start Mark Vientos as DH.
“I’ll do my best to keep Marte in the lineup, but I’ll keep an eye on him, too,” Mendoza noted. “He’s usually upfront with us, so we’ll take it game by game, series by series.”
Meanwhile, Paul Blackburn showcased a solid performance, likely in his final rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse. He allowed just one run on five hits, striking out six over 6⅓ innings, while walking only one batter. Blackburn, coming back from a shoulder issue, may rejoin the team as a long reliever or sixth starter, though Mendoza plans to wait until Monday to make a decision.
Edwin Diaz extended his scoreless inning streak to 17, achieving this mark on Sunday, with his last run allowed dating back to June 6. Although he faced some trouble with two walks and hit batters, he managed to secure his 23rd save of the season out of 25 opportunities.
The All-Star closer has given up only one run in his last 32 appearances, maintaining a 4-0 record along with 17 saves since April 23.
As for Jose Siri, according to Mendoza, he remains sidelined with a broken left tibia since April. However, he is expected to make a return this season. Currently, his training involves running in the pool to strengthen his legs.
