New York Mets outfielder Sterling Marte was placed on the bereavement list following the passing of his grandmother.
Mets manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday that Marte’s grandmother, Ponga Brigida, died unexpectedly. Marte was raised by his grandmother in the Dominican Republic after his mother died when he was 9.
“It was heart-wrenching talking to him yesterday,” Showalter said. “I don’t think most people realize, he’s had a tough go. He lost his mother early in his life. His grandmother was very close to him. She passed away suddenly, I understand. He’s home for as long as he needs to be there. I know what his plans were, but that can change.”
With Marte absent for Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals, the Mets used backup Travis Jankowski as his replacement in right field.
Look for Jankowski to get an increase in playing time for as long as Marte is away from the team.
The Mets also added two pitchers, Stephen Nogosek and Adonis Medina, to the club. Nogosek took Marte’s roster spot, giving the Mets some additional bullpen depth. Medina served as the 27th man for New York’s doubleheader against the Cardinals.
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