KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Starling Marte’s pregame workouts have continued, and as of Thursday morning it had been “a couple of days” since the Mets outfielder had dealt with a migraine headache.
The team is hopeful Marte will be activated from the injured list this weekend to return an experienced bat to a lineup that has been lacking following the departures of Tommy Pham and Mark Canha in trades.
Another important player, Brandon Nimmo, has been sidelined with left quadriceps discomfort.
Marte said he has had migraine headaches in the past, but never to this level.
“There was no real reason as to why they occur, [the doctors] just know that I suffer from migraines and I have a history of migraines,” Marte said through an interpreter before the Mets’ 9-2 loss to the Royals on Thursday. “They can happen at any moment: driving, right when I wake up and here at the field, so now we just know that it’s possible, to be expecting it, but there is no real reason.”
Marte said he has been given medication to take if he feels a migraine is near.
He underwent surgery on both groins last offseason, and manager Buck Showalter acknowledged this IL stint has been as much about Marte’s other physical issues as his migraines.
“I’m looking forward to getting Starling back,” Showalter said. “But he had some major surgery in the offseason and every day he gets away from it and to get back in form is better.”
Nimmo missed a third straight start after incurring left quadriceps discomfort during batting practice Tuesday, but he said he will likely return to the lineup Friday in Baltimore.
The Mets have used Rafael Ortega in center field in Nimmo’s spot.
Brett Baty lost a pop-up in the sun in the third inning, but shortstop Francisco Lindor was in position to aid the rookie third baseman (who wasn’t wearing his sunglasses).
Lindor caught the ball.
During a game against the Dodgers last month, Baty misplayed a pop-up (the ball bounced on the infield and hit him in the face), and Lindor blamed himself for not establishing position to make that catch.
“I should have been there, I should have helped him out,” Lindor said, referring to the play against the Dodgers. “He dropped it, but it was an easier play to be made in that situation, and [infield coach] Joey Cora let me know I have to do better, so now my instincts are to just head in that direction. Do not give up on any play.”
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