Pirates left fielder Starling Marte will not start tonight’s series finale against the Saint Louis Cardinals with a hand injury. The injury, which flared up during last night’s game, has been bothering him off and on, according to manger Clint Hurdle. The team characterized the injury as a left hand bruise and Marte is day-to-day.
Travis Ishikawa will start in left field in Marte’s place. Jung Ho Kang will move up to Marte’s usual cleanup spot in the batting order.
Marte left the team’s game in St. Louis on Wednesday night in the middle of the third inning. He appeared to be in visible pain when batting in the top of the inning. After trainers and manager Clint Hurdle visited with him in the middle of his at bat, he was allowed to remain in the game, but popped out for the second time in the game.
After the at bat, he was replaced in the middle of the inning in left field by utility man Sean Rodriguez. The Pirates released a statement saying that Marte left the game due to “discomfort in his left hand.” No update on his condition was available after the game.
Marte has had a series of nagging injuries throughout the season, missing a game in late July with a stomach bug and several games in early July with a left side injury.
In 103 games so far this season, Marte is hitting .287 and is third on the team with 13 home runs and second on the club with 57 RBI. He also leads the team with 22 stolen bases.
Rodriguez will start at third base instead of Aramis Ramirez, who will get his first night off since joining the Pirates on July 23.
Photo credit: ROOT Sports / MLB.com
