Kodai Senga's live BP session, Starling Marte's slow start to camp, and Canha power this season?

Senga featured his signature "ghost fork," position players officially reported to camp, and the health of one player is a huge key to the Mets success in 2023

(New York Post)

What’s Up with the Mets? 🌴

• Kodai Senga and the legend of the ghost fork was the talk of camp after he faced live batters (New York Post)

• Starling Marte reported to camp and talked about the injuries he sustained last season (MLB)

• Mark Canha is looking to add a bit more power at the plate this season (NY Post)

• Justin Verlander is fifty-six wins away from the 300-win milestone and hopes to get there despite his age (MLB)

• The rest of Major League Baseball is concerned about Steve Cohen’s spending so they created a committee to discuss it (Athletic)

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Starling Marte’s health is a key to the Mets success… ✍🏻

(New York Post)

Starling Marte was a fantastic addition to the team in 2022, batting .292/.347/.468 with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs while featuring all-around athleticism on both sides of the ball. He was a threat on the base paths with 18 stolen bases, learned a new position in right field, and was selected to the All-Star team for the second time in his career while being worth 3.8 fWAR over 118 games.

Unfortunately for him it was also an injury plagued year where he dealt with oblique tightness, quadriceps discomfort, groin tightness, and a fractured middle finger that cost him the final weeks of the season. He did return to play in the Wild Card series but he was far from 100 percent and the Mets were promptly eliminated by the Padres.

The Mets are taking it slow with their right fielder who insists he will be ready to go for Opening Day following core surgery in the off-season. He opted not to represent the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic to avoid risking further injury for a team that is lacking outfield depth and to ensure he can be in proper game shape when the bell rings in Miami in six weeks.

Marte also elaborated on the kind of procedure he underwent in the off-season, telling reporters in Port St. Lucie on Sunday he had surgery on both groins on tendons which had separated from his leg.

As it stands now, the outfield is Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo, and Marte, with Tommy Pham serving as the fourth outfielder. Jeff McNeil could also play the outfield if necessary, but keeping everyone healthy is going to be a balancing act for Buck Showalter to manage throughout the year.

Depth is not the only reason keeping Marte healthy is important. His bat is a key cog, his speed adds a dynamic the club is otherwise lacking in large measure, and his presence alone helps completely change the complexion of the lineup. They certainly could’ve used his bat as they limped to the finish line and got overtaken by the Braves for the division at the end of last season. A healthy Marte could’ve helped them win that one extra game that would’ve made them avoid the Padres and an early exit in the playoffs.

Marte’s powerful bat and athleticism is a nightmare for opposing pitchers with Nimmo, McNeil, Lindor, and Alonso offering no respite at the top of the lineup. While there are some question marks at the bottom of the lineup the Mets are certainly stacked at the top, as long as Marte remains healthy.

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Around the League ⚾️

• White Sox prospect Anderson Comas came out as gay on his Instagram and wants to serve as an inspiration for others (Twitter)

• The White Sox and Elvis Andrus agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million (ESPN)

• Padres starter Nick Martinez will replace Clayton Kershaw on the United States’s World Baseball Classic roster (ESPN)

• After the Baltimore Orioles disappointing offseason, comments from their owner John Angelos didn’t offer much hope for the fanbase (CBS Sports)

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