New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Starling Marte (knee) is scheduled to play right field in a Grapefruit League game on Friday for the first time this spring, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Marte is expected to be the Opening Day DH against a left-handed pitcher, but his ability to play the outfield is still important to him. Marte got a late start to spring action due to a bone bruise in his right knee, but he's now been cleared to start playing some defense. The 36-year-old Dominican veteran has gone 3-for-14 with a double and six strikeouts in five Grapefruit League games entering Friday's action. Most of Marte's plate appearances in his 14th year in the big leagues in 2025 should come at DH. At this point in his career, there's little fantasy upside because of his injury risk and the fact that he's unlikely to run much.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) is serving as the designated hitter and batting sixth on Monday in the Grapefruit League game against the St. Louis Cardinals. It is the spring training debut for the aging Marte, who hadn't played until this point due to soreness in his right knee. If the 36-year-old can avoid setbacks and also return to action on defense in right field, he should be able to avoid starting the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Still, it's a reminder to fantasy managers that Marte is an extreme injury risk in the twilight of his career and can't be counted on as a speed threat anymore. To preserve his health, the Mets are expected to give Marte plenty of built in rest days, which means he won't be a regular anymore after the team signed superstar outfielder Juan Soto this offseason as the everyday right fielder. Expect a short-side platoon for Marte with Jesse Winker in center field.UPDATE: Marte was happy with how his knee felt on Monday in his spring debut and didn't have trouble running to second on a double he hit in the second inning.

The New York Post's Joel Sherman writes that the Kansas City Royals made a push to acquire outfielder Starling Marte from the New York Mets in the winter, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement after the Mets asked for a reliever such as Hunter Harvey or Angel Zerpa. While Marte remains with the Mets, Sherman says that the Royals haven't completely given up on the possibility of trading for Marte. The 36-year-old is near the end of his career and has battled injuries in recent seasons, including right-knee soreness this spring, but he'd be a nice veteran presence for a young Royals club that surprisingly made the playoffs last fall. At this point, regardless of where he's playing, Marte probably won't be an everyday player after suiting up for a combined 180 games the last two years for the Mets. Both his power and speed numbers are dwindling in the twilight of his career.

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) will begin taking live batting practice early in March on the back fields in camp. The veteran outfielder has been dealing with knee soreness since last summer, although the Mets remain confident he'll be good to go for Opening Day in late March. The 36-year-old Dominican outfielder hasn't played in more than 118 games in his three seasons in Queens due to injuries, and he's hit only 12 home runs with 68 RBI and 40 stolen bases in 180 games combined the last two years. With Juan Soto now New York's starting right fielder, it seems likely that Marte will be in line for a reduced role in New York between the outfield and designated hitter in 2025. It would not be a surprise if the Mets play it safe and put him on the injured list to begin the year. He's ranked as the No. 100 fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller.

According to Jorge Castillo of ESPN, New York Mets outfielders Starling Marte and Jesse Winker are set to platoon at the designated hitter spot to open the season. Castillo noted that Marte could see occasional starts in right field. As a result, Marte will be on the short side of the platoon, given that he is the right-handed bat. Last season, the 36-year-old posted a .269/.327/.388 line with seven home runs and 16 stolen bases. However, when facing left-handed pitchers, Marte was quite effective as he posted a strong .310/.384/.460 line. Winker resigned with the Mets on a one-year contract earlier this offseason. Facing right-handers, Winker held a .258/.366/.422 slash line. As a result, both players will have limited values in fantasy, given that they will share playing time. However, both could be valuable in deeper NL-only formats, especially in daily lineup leagues.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte knocked three doubles and collected three RBI as part of a four-hit night in the Mets' 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. Marte went 4-for-5 at the plate and added a run as part of his huge night. The 36-year-old has started to heat up a bit in the NLCS, now posting his second game of the series with three or more hits. His postseason OPS rose to .785 after Friday's explosion. The Mets will continue to need his bat to produce as they fight to force a Game 7 on Sunday. Coincidentally, the Mets have won both games where Marte has recorded three or more hits in the NLCS. DFS managers can expect Marte to be back in the lineup on Sunday in Los Angeles, where the Mets are expected to face a bullpen game from the Dodgers.

New York Mets outfielders Starling Marte and Jesse Winker are both on the bench for Game 1 of the team's big divisional doubleheader on Monday at Truist Park against the Atlanta Braves. Harrison Bader is starting in center field and batting ninth, while Tyrone Taylor gets the nod in right field and will bat seventh against Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach. Bader has never faced Schwellenbach before, while Taylor is hitless in just three at-bats against him. The 35-year-old Marte is typically a lineup regular for the Mets, but he enters Monday's big doubleheader with just one hit in his last five games and hasn't homered in the second half of the season. Bader gives the Mets a nice little power-speed combination at the bottom of the lineup, but he comes into Monday with no hits and five strikeouts in 12 plate appearances in his last six games dating back to Sept. 20.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte will start on the bench for Friday's series opener versus the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Jesse Winker will instead make the start in right field for the Mets and bat sixth against Brewers right-hander Frankie Montas. Even after the Mets' last two games against the division-rival Atlanta Braves were rained out, Marte will take a seat to start a three-game weekend set in Milwaukee. Marte hasn't been great in 15 games in September, batting .229 (11-for-48) with no homers, a double, a triple, nine RBI and 10 strikeouts. Winker will be an interesting DFS play on Friday with a .286 career average and .786 OPS in seven total at-bats against Montas in his career. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger has 13 of his 14 homers on the year against righties while hitting .260 (88-for-339) against them in 401 plate appearances.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (forearm) is back in right field and hitting in the two-hole on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and left-hander Mitchell Parker at Citi Field. Marte was hit by a pitch on his forearm on Saturday and missed two games as a result, but he's back in action on Tuesday for the second game of the series against the Nats. The 35-year-old veteran came off the bench as a pinch-hitter in Monday's contest and went 1-for-2 with a walk-off RBI single in extra innings. Fantasy managers will want to get Marte back in their starting lineups, especially against a young left-handed hurler. He's hitting .272 (83-for-305) on the year and has gone 28-for-88 (.318) with two of his seven long balls on the year against southpaws.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte played the hero in Monday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Nationals. Marte entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch-hitter and hit into a ground-out. His next at-bat came in the bottom of the 10th inning and resulted in a walk-off single. The 35-year-old veteran has cooled off in the second half but has still provided serviceable numbers this season when healthy, slashing .272/.321/.400 with seven home runs, 40 runs scored, 38 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 332 plate appearances.He should continue to offer a decent floor in the bottom of the Mets lineup as they push for a playoff spot.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (forearm) is out of the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Marte is sitting for the second straight game after being hit by a pitch on his forearm in Saturday's contest against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old veteran's injury isn't considered serious, though, so fantasy managers should treat him as day-to-day. The Mets could use both Marte and shortstop Francisco Lindor (back) back in their lineup as soon as possible, though, as they battle for the final wild-card spot in the National League. Jesse Winker is playing right field and batting second on Monday against Nationals right-hander Jake Irvin. Winker has never faced Irvin in his career and has gone just 3-for-29 (.103) with a homer, four RBI, four walks and nine strikeouts in 13 games so far in September.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (forearm) will remain out of the starting nine on Sunday due to a forearm injury. However, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that the X-rays came back negative, which is a great sign for the 35-year-old. Marte was hit by a pitch on his forearm during Saturday's game but has avoided a significant injury. As a result, Tyrone Taylor will cover right field this afternoon and bat in the eight-hole. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the Mets lineup on Monday evening, as Marte could return. Over his past 17 games, he has held a .241 average but has stolen three bases. Taylor has posted a mere .182 average across his past nine games and should be left out of your DFS lineup this afternoon.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez and outfielder Starling Marte will both start on the bench on Friday for the contest against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola at Citizens Bank Park. Outfielder Jesse Winker will serve as the DH for the Mets and hit fifth, while Tyrone Taylor makes the start in right field and hits seventh against Nola. It's a tough matchup for the entire Mets batting order. Winker is hitting just .182 with a home run and two RBI in 22 career at-bats versus Nola, while Taylor has hit .375 with an RBI, albeit in just eight at-bats in his career against Nola. Martinez could use a day off, as the 37-year-old has struggled so far in September, going 3-for-21 (.143) with four RBI. Marte has also struggled since coming off the injured list back on Aug. 18, going 12-for-56 (.214) with three doubles and four RBI.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The veteran outfielder has been hitting the ball better lately with four hits over his last five games. However, the Mets have been easing him back into action giving him his third rest day on Tuesday since his return from the injured list. Jesse Winker will bat fifth and cover right field versus right-hander Brandon Pfaadt on Tuesday. Winker has been hitting the cover off the ball since joining the Mets roster. He's hitting .288 with one homer and five RBI in 21 games with the team.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) was activated off the 10-day IL on Sunday morning and will return to the starting lineup. He is slated to bat in the five-hole and cover right field. Marte has been sidelined for just over two months with a bruised knee. Prior to the injury, the 35-year-old carried a strong .278/.328/.416 line with seven home runs and 12 swiped bags. Marte is worth adding in standard leagues where available, given his ability to contribute all five categories and that he should always be penciled into the starting nine. This afternoon, he is worth a look in DFS as he will be batting in the heart of the lineup and will face Miami right-hander Valente Bellozo.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) is scheduled to play nine innings in a minor-league rehab game on Friday with Triple-A Syracuse and could be activated from the injured list on Sunday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The Mets are just waiting to see if Marte can play back-to-back games on defense before bringing him back to the big-league roster. The 35-year-old veteran has been out since June 22, so the Mets could ease him back into everyday duties in right field in Queens once he's back. The Dominican could be a huge boost for the Mets offense as they look to claim the final wild-card spot in the National League down the stretch in 2024. Marte's return could mostly be bad news for recent trade acquisition Jesse Winker's playing time. Before getting hurt, the two-time All-Star was hitting .278 (68-for-245) with seven homers, 30 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 66 games.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) could be activated from the 10-day injured list this weekend. In Marte's three minor-league rehab games with Single-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton, he's gone 2-for-7 with a home run and a stolen base. The veteran outfielder is recovering from a bone bruise in his right knee, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback while playing in the minors the rest of the week, it sounds like he should rejoin the team for their weekend series against the visiting division-rival Miami Marlins. Marte has been on the injured list since June 25 but should eventually return to everyday duties in right field for the Mets. The 35-year-old Dominican will return to a .278/.328/.416 slash line with a .745 OPS, seven home runs, 30 RBI and 12 stolen bases whenever he's reinstated.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) is officially set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday for Single-A St. Lucie, which will mark his first game action since June 22. It's a major step forward for Marte, who recently said he expects to advance to Double-A Binghamton by the end of this week. Barring any setbacks, that would put him on track to rejoin the Mets during their nine-game homestand that begins next Tuesday against the visiting Oakland Athletics. Fantasy managers should grab the 35-year-old former All-Star from waiver wires where they can at this stage of his recovery from a bone bruise. Before getting hurt, Marte was chipping in to each category while batting .278 (68-for-245) with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 38 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 66 games as New York's primary right fielder. Despite Jesse Winker's presence, Marte should return to a prominent role for the Mets upon his return.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee), who is on the 10-day injured list with a bone bruise in his right knee, will fly with the Mets to Anaheim to continue working with team trainers this weekend before joining Single-A St. Lucie on Monday on a rehab assignment. Marte expects to join Double-A Binghamton for more minor-league rehab games by the end of next week. Barring a setback, the 35-year-old veteran outfielder should rejoin the big-league lineup around the middle of August. Because he's been out since late June, the Mets are going to give him plenty of at-bats in the minors to get his timing back at the plate. When he's ready, Marte will return to starting duties in right field in Queens. Before his knee injury, he was slashing a strong .278/.328/.416 with seven home runs, 30 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 245 at-bats.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) said on Tuesday he hopes to start a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as next week. After resting his right knee over the All-Star break, Marte began a running progression this past weekend and is progressing toward returning to game action. He's still unlikely to rejoin the Mets until sometime in mid-August, but fantasy managers should make sure the 35-year-old former All-Star isn't floating around on any waiver wires at this point in his recovery from a bone bruise. Before going down, Marte was producing well across the board while batting .278 (68-for-245) with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 38 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases over 66 games as New York's primary right fielder. With the addition of Jesse Winker to a crowded outfield in Queens, however, it remains to be seen if Marte will return to an everyday role upon his eventual reinstatement from the injured list.