The Mets placed veteran outfielder Starling Marte on the bereavement list after the sudden death of his grandmother, the team announced on Monday, where he will return to the Dominican Republic to be with his family.
Marte’s grandmother raised him since he was 10 years old after his mother passed suddenly. The announcement also comes one day before the second anniversary of his wife’s passing.
“It was heart-wrenching talking to him yesterday,” manager Buck Showalter said on Tuesday. “I don’t think people realize that he’s had a tough go. He lost his mother earlier in his life. His grandmother, he was very close to. She passed away suddenly so he’s home for as long as he needs to be there.
“I know what his plans were but that could change because the anniversary of his wife’s passing is tomorrow. It’s been a tough time for him.”
The 33-year-old was replaced in the lineup for Tuesday’s doubleheader opener against the St. Louis Cardinals by Travis Jankowski.
“Talking to him… a lot of emotion there,” Showalter continued. “It tore me up. Still does. Getting to know him little by little, he cares. He’s got a great heart, a big heart and it’s been tough on us knowing what he’s been through.
“Looking forward to him getting back with the team and being around the people that care for him. It’s a tough go, though.”
