New York Mets will not have Starling Marte for closing three video games, wild-card return a risk, Buck Showalter says

NEW YORK — With the Mets‘ offense reeling after New York was swept by the Atlanta Braves, the absence of outfielder Starling Marte is a gaping gap within the lineup.

Nonetheless, Mets supervisor Buck Showalter stated Monday that Marte, who’s coping with a non-displaced fracture of his proper center finger, is not going to return for the ultimate three video games of the common season. Showalter didn’t rule out Marte returning on Friday, when the group might start internet hosting a wild-card spherical.

“We’re methods to handle the discomfort, attempting to see if there’s a way,” Showalter stated.

The Mets positioned Marte on the injured checklist on Sept. 10. Earlier than Monday’s sport towards the Washington Nationals, Marte tried swinging a bat with two fingers to check the finger. His try confirmed “little progress” and didn’t encourage confidence, Showalter stated.

“We’ll see what the following few days convey,” Showalter stated.

Marte was hitting .292/.347/.468, with 16 homers, 18 stolen bases and a 3.7 bWAR, earlier than occurring the injured checklist. Whereas the Mets ranked fourth in baseball getting into Monday in runs scored since Marte went on the injured checklist, the group has struggled to return by means of on the plate in key moments, together with in a sweep by the Chicago Cubs in early September and a shutout final week towards the Milwaukee Brewers.

Marte’s absence was significantly noticeable within the Mets’ three-game collection towards the Braves — by which they had been outscored 14-7.

Showalter stated the group is urgent proper now within the wake of the sweep by Atlanta.

“I understand how a lot they care, I understand how a lot the followers care,” Showalter stated. “You hate to disappoint folks, it hurts.”

The one situation by which the Mets can finish their season with a Nationwide League East division title requires the Miami Marlins to comb the Braves and the Mets to comb the Nationals. However till the Mets are mathematically eradicated from the division crown, Showalter wouldn’t interact in speak about a possible wild-card matchup.

“We’re hoping [the Braves] lose three and we win three,” Showalter stated. “I ain’t giving in. I’ve received quite a lot of confidence in [Marlins manager] Don Mattingly.”