Starling Marte Apr 8, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Starling Marte (6) hits a single in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets and Starling Marte seemingly avoided the worst possible outcome after the star outfielder was involved in a horrible collision on the base paths during Sunday’s game against the Marlins.

After hitting a one-out double in the home half of the first inning, Marte stole third base. Though, unfortunately for the 34-year-old Marte, he hit his head/neck area on the knee of Marlins’ third baseman Jean Segura. Marte went down in a heap of pain, holding his head.

After about a five-minute delay, the Mets allowed Marte to stay in the game and run the bases, but he was eventually subbed out as the defense took the field in the top of the second. The Mets later announced that Marte was removed from Sunday’s game with a neck strain and is considered day-to-day.

New York was likely being cautious with Marte, being that it’s the 10th game of a 162-game schedule and that he was hit in the head with a pitch during spring training not even a month ago. In nine games this season, Marte has hit .303/.378/.485 with a .863 OPS, a home run, and two RBI. He’s also stolen four bases, including the one that led to his early exit on Sunday.

In 2022, Marte hit .292, made the All-Star team, and collected an OPS of .814.

[New York Mets, SNY]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.