Mets Place Outfielder On IL After His 13th Hit-By-Pitch This Season

It was 13th time unlucky for New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte, who heads to the injured list as a result of being hit by a pitch earlier this week, for the 13th time this season.

Official: Starling Marte is on the IL with a fractured right middle finger.

The Mets are calling up Mark Vientos for tonight.

Marte’s stint is backdated to Wednesday. So he is eligible to return a week from today.

— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) September 10, 2022

Marte suffered the fractured finger a few days back, so the IL stint will be back-dated to Sept. 6th. But it's certainly possible that he won't be ready to return in less than a week. It's also possible that the team will want to be extra cautious at this point in the season, to ensure that he's fully healed for the playoffs. 

The move allows the Mets to make room for power-hitting prospect Mark Vientos, recalled earlier on Saturday.  

                                     

Marte suffered the injury when he took a 96 mph fastball from Mitch Keller to the hand in the first inning of Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was initially considered day-to-day, even though Marte said that night, "I hope there isn't a fracture." The finger obviously didn't improve, and more tests were done.

Mets manager Buck Showalter made reference to the ridiculous number of times the Mets have been plunked this season. "We’re on pace to have a new record for hit by pitches and that one stung him pretty good."

Marte garnered his 2nd All-Star nod this season; he's batting .292 with an .814 OPS, along with 16 homers and 18 stolen bases. 

Photos: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports,