New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte, who had to miss important games down the stretch with injuries, will not be playing in MLB‘s prime competition for international baseball: the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“Mets-related WBC news: -Starling Marte will no longer be playing in the WBC for the Dominican Republic. Marte is still recovering from his core surgery. – Mark Vientos has committed to play for Nicaragua,” Michael Mayer tweeted.
Mets-related WBC news:
-Starling Marte will no longer be playing in the WBC for the Dominican Republic. Marte is still recovering from his core surgery.
– Mark Vientos has committed to play for Nicaragua.— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) January 6, 2023
It’s a shame for the player, as he had every intention of suiting up to defend his country in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Classics in history.
In early November, Marte underwent surgery for a core muscle injury.
He is believed to have suffered the ailment around he midway point of the season, even before he fractured his right middle finger in early September.
Core muscle surgeries typically take about two months to fully heal, so while he will theoretically be healthy in time for the start of the WBC (March 8), team and player don’t want to take any chances.
In spite of those injuries, Marte was his usual brilliant self when on the field, hitting .292 with a .814 OPS, 16 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 118 regular-season games for the Mets.
He made it back in time to play in the Wild Card series against the San Diego, and had to witness a painful loss.
With rest and rehab, Marte is expected to be 100 percent healthy by the time the 2023 MLB season rolls around.
The Mets need him.
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