Starling Marte returns from disabled list
The Pittsburgh Pirates have activated rookie outfielder Starling Marte from the 15 day disabled list. Marte was placed on the disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle August 19.
Marte had been on a rehab assignment at at short-season State College and Class AAA Indianapolis. The Pirates have gone 7-10 without Marte in the lineup. Marte missed three weeks because of the injury. Marte made his Major League debut July 25th and homered in his very first at-bat against the Houston Astros.
The Pirates are also expecting the return of second baseman Neil Walker, however a return date has not been set. “We’re on the outside looking in on that,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He tried swinging the bat once and had to back away.”
The Pirates are currently eight games over .500 at 72-64 and 10 games behind the National League Central Division leading Cincinnati Reds, but are in the thick of the playoff race a game and a half behind Atlanta and St. Louis for a wild-card spot.
