DENVER — Starling Marte’s return to the Mets looks more likely after he takes an at-bat in a minor-league rehab game on Wednesday.
The veteran outfielder will serve as the DH for Low-A St. Lucie, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
It will be his first appearance since late June, when he was placed on the disabled list after being diagnosed with a bone contusion in his right knee.
Marte resumed baseball practice 2 1/2 weeks ago in Miami and overcame a major hurdle over the weekend by running the bases without discomfort.
Marte’s return will add another hitter to a right field platoon that currently includes Tyrone Taylor and Jesse Winker.
The Mets also used Jeff McNeil in right field in Marte’s absence.
Right-hander Christian Scott is expected to resume pitching this week after a two-week break due to elbow soreness, Mendoza said.
Scott has been diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and could undergo Tommy John surgery.
Mendoza said it’s too early to be optimistic about Scott returning this season.
With the Rockies starting a left-hander, Pete Alonso returned to bat fourth, a day after batting fifth for the first time since 2020.
Mendoza said Alonso’s batting order will depend on the opposing starting pitcher and who is in the Mets’ lineup that day.
Alonso, who was 1-for-3 on Tuesday, has struggled this season against pitches with runners in scoring position.
“It all depends on who’s in the lineup that day,” Mendoza said.[Alonso] He’s willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win a baseball game. I’ve seen that in both the second and third batter positions. [Monday] We saw it on the fifth hole.
“If we have a lot of players who are willing to do anything, we’ll be stronger.”
Reid Garrett pitched a scoreless, three-strikeout performance for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday in his second minor league rehab appearance.
Sean Reed-Foley is scheduled to pitch Wednesday at Syracuse.
Both pitchers struggled in minor league rehab appearances on Sunday.
Mendoza previously indicated both players could be removed from the IL as soon as this week.
