DENVER — The possibility of Starling Marte returning to the Mets will seem more realistic on Wednesday, when he takes at-bats in a minor league rehab game.
The veteran outfielder is scheduled to serve as the DH for Low-A St. Lucie, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
It would be his first game action since late June, when he was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee and placed on the injured list.
Marte began ramping up baseball activity in Miami 2 ½ weeks ago, and over the weekend cleared a significant hurdle when he ran the bases without discomfort.
Marte’s return would bring another bat to a right field mix that has become a platoon between Tyrone Taylor and Jesse Winker.
The Mets have also used Jeff McNeil in right field during Marte’s absence.
Christian Scott is expected to resume throwing this week, according to Mendoza, as the right-hander completes a two-week shutdown following elbow soreness.
Scott has been diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and Tommy John surgery has not been ruled out.
Mendoza said it’s too early to say if there is optimism Scott will return this season.
With the Rockies starting a left-hander, Pete Alonso moved back to the cleanup spot, a day after batting fifth for the first time since 2020.
Mendoza said Alonso’s spot in the batting order will be based on the opposing starting pitcher and who else is in the lineup for the Mets on a particular day.
Alonso — who went 1-for-3 on Tuesday — has struggled with runners in scoring position this season.
“It all depends on the personnel that is going to be in the lineup that day,” Mendoza said. “[Alonso] is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win a baseball game. We’ve seen it in the 2-hole and we have seen it in the 3-hole. [Monday] we saw it in the 5-hole.
“It just makes us better when you have got that many players willing to do whatever it takes.”
Reed Garrett pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts Tuesday for Triple-A Syracuse in a second minor league rehab appearance.
Sean Reid-Foley is expected to pitch Wednesday for Syracuse.
Both pitchers struggled Sunday in minor league rehab appearances.
Mendoza had previously indicated both were possibilities to be removed from the IL this week.
