Mets lose Starling Marte to IL as Jesse Winker returns
BALTIMORE — Starling Marte’s All-Star break has already commenced.
The Mets placed the veteran outfielder on the injured list Tuesday with a right knee bruise, two days after he was in visible discomfort at the plate.
Marte has dealt with the knee issue the last two seasons.
Last year he was placed on the injured list in late June before returning in mid-August for the Mets’ stretch run.
After a slow start, Marte has been a productive member of the Mets lineup.
Overall, he owns a .270/.353/.387 slash line with four homers, 20 RBIs and five stolen bases.
The 36-year-old Marte is completing a four-year contract worth $78 million.
Marte’s IL stint coincided with Jesse Winker’s activation. Winker spent the last two months rehabbing an oblique strain.
His return gives the Mets a left-handed bat for the DH spot.
In other roster moves the Mets shifted Tylor Megill to the 60 day injured list, ensuring he won’t return before mid-to-late August.
The right-hander has been sidelined with elbow swelling.
The Mets also selected reliever Alex Carrillo to the major league roster.
Zach Pop, who pitched in relief on Sunday, was designated for assignment.