Miami Marlins center fielder Starling Marte had his left hand broken by a fastball in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The team says Marte has a non-displaced fracture of his fifth metacarpal but is optimistic and still considering him day-to-day after the Marlins took a 1-0 lead in their National League Wild Card Series.
It has been a tough week for Marte, who got the start Wednesday in Chicago after he was hit on the front of his helmet by a fastball during Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New York Yankees.
“Star has been hit, I think, three times on that hand since we acquired him, and then he gets hit in the head the other day,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “He’s been like a target almost. But he’s been bouncing back from everything else, so hopefully we get good results with everything and we’ll see where he’s at.”
On Wednesday, Marte, 31, was hit by Cubs reliever Dan Winkler. Marte was in obvious pain and quickly retreated down the clubhouse tunnel and underwent X-rays in the hand. He was replaced by Monte Harrison.
Marte, acquired at the trade deadline from the Arizona Diamondbacks, hit .281 with 6 home runs, 27 RBIs and 10 stolen bases this season.
Mattingly, in his postgame availability, declined to offer specifics on what he’d do with his lineup if Marte remains out, instead focusing on the team achievement in taking the series advantage on the road.
“We have to keep moving forward. Obviously, today is a big win,” Mattingly said. “In a three-game set, you want that first one and it puts you in a good spot.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
