Mets Hopeful That Aging All-Star Can Overcome Injury Issues

Outfielder Starling Marte is one of the many questions surrounding the New York Mets' 2024 season.

Marte had a strong first campaign in Queens in 2022, where he was an All-Star and top contributor at the top of the Mets' lineup. However, he underwent double groin surgery last winter and it hindered his entire skillset in 2023, taking away his speed, power and explosiveness. Marte was only able to push it through 86 games and clearly wasn't himself.

So now, at 35-years-old, Marte looks healthy and back to his old self. This is why the Mets are hopeful he can turn things around and perform like the productive player he has shown he can be throughout his 12-year career.

But there is still some concern whether his body will be able to hold up across a full-season given his age and recent injury history. 

Should Marte revert back to the impact hitter he was in the Mets' lineup back in 2022, it would be a huge boost for an offense that only added center fielder Harrison Bader in the offseason.

Back in December, Inside the Mets asked president of baseball operations David Stearns why he was confident Marte could be counted on this year, and he pointed towards health being the biggest factor.

Marte played winter ball in the Dominican League, where Mets' brass traveled to watch him. They were reportedly very impressed with what they saw and it led them to believe that he will be a solid contributor again this season.

“When you’re that type of athlete and then when you have your midsection kind of taken away from you [due to the surgery], it zapped his power, his explosiveness and running speed,” hitting coach Eric Chavez told Joel Sherman of The New York Post. “Everything that makes him athletic was completely taken away. It’s almost like he has a new toy back. The explosiveness is back.”

“You can see the way he is moving around and how the ball is coming off his bat and the bat speed," manager Carlos Mendoza told The Post of Marte at camp.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor has also noticed that Marte can wait on the pitch longer again because he is healthy and can rely on his tools once more.

The unanimous consensus around the Mets is that Marte will be the Marte of old this season, and if that happens it will be huge for a team that is trying to surprise people this year.