Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided some updates prior to Friday’s series opener in Kansas City…
Good news on Marte
Starling Marte underwent an MRI on his knee Friday which still showed some inflammation, but overall was “very encouraging.”
The team is planning on limiting his running for the time being, but they will start the process as soon as this weekend which is certainly good news.
They are still hopeful Marte will be available coming out of the All-Star break.
The 36-year-old was placed on the injured list earlier this week after tweaking his right knee during his at-bat in the ninth inning of last weekend's Subway Series finale.
Marte had been swinging a hot bat prior to that, picking up three more hits to raise his average to an impressive .324 since the beginning of June.
Getting him back in the mix right away would certainly be a huge boost, especially with Jesse Winker hitting the IL as well.
Winker’s prognosis
Speaking of Winker, Mendy reveled that he’s dealing with lower back inflammation.
He'll be on medicine for the next four-to-seven days, and then the team will see how he’s feeling before deciding on next steps — that could potentially be receiving an injection, depending on how he responds.
Though there’s been some speculation that Winker’s back injury is connected to the oblique strain he was just returning from, the skipper said trainers told him the two had nothing to do with each other.
“That was my first question too,” he said. “This is something that just came up now, nothing related — hopefully the medicine works here over the next four-to-seven days, and then we’ll see where we’re at from there.”
Winker was hitless in three at-bats before landing back on the IL.
With him and Marte sidelined, the team will continue to mix-and-match at DH this weekend.
The left-handed hitting Jared Young was recalled from Triple-A, but it is Mark Vientos who will receive the first opportunity against veteran right-hander Michael Wacha in Friday's series opener.
Paul Blackburn on the mend
The right-hander threw a successful bullpen session on Friday in Kansas City.
He is expected to threw another one on Sunday, and if all goes well there he’ll head down to Port St. Lucie during the break to face hitters.
Blackburn officially landed on the IL last week due to a right shoulder impingement.
With Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga back healthy and in the rotation mix, he could potentially be looking at a bullpen role when he does eventually return.
Prior to his injury Blackburn had been struggling mightily — pitching to a 7.71 ERA in six appearances.
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