Starling Marte’s status for Mets spring training should become clear next month

After missing the final month of the regular season with a hand injury before eventually suiting up for the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, Mets outfielder Starling Marte then had core surgery in November and his status for the start of spring training has yet to be determined, according to SNY’s Andy Martino.

At the start of spring training there are two classes of players, the class with healthy and active players who are preparing for the season as normal and the class with rehab players coming off an injury who are on a rehab program to start.

“It has not yet been determined which of those tracks Marte is gonna be on, but it should be determined early next month,” Martino said on Mets Hot Stove. “It’s likely that Marte is gonna spend some time with the Mets’ medical staff and the training staff and figure out where he’s at coming back from that core surgery.”

Once the Mets decide which trajectory Marte will take during spring training his Opening Day status will then fall into question. If Marte were to miss some time rehabbing his injury, his readiness for Opening Day could be in jeopardy.

No determination of any kind has been made just yet but should be made in early February. However, it was announced earlier this month that Marte would not play in the World Baseball Classic that takes place during March 8 until March 21.

Pitchers and catchers for Mets players not playing in the WBC report to spring training on Feb. 15 while position players report on Feb. 20. Pitchers are catchers who have committed to the exhibition series will report on Feb. 13 while position players report on Feb. 16.