SEATTLE — Starling Marte was a significant piece of the Mets lineup when his right knee started barking in late June, sending him to the injured list.
More than six weeks later, Marte remains sidelined — he is on a minor league rehab assignment and set to join Double-A Binghamton on Sunday — but the Mets have survived his absence in part because of the manner in which Tyrone Taylor has filled the void.
A fourth outfielder as the season started, Taylor has seen his role increase in recent weeks, along with his offensive numbers.
As play began Saturday, the 30-year-old Taylor had a very respectable .294/.346/.451 slash line in 18 games since the All-Star break.
Whether it’s been starting in right field, shifting to center or coming off the bench, Taylor has emerged as a valued piece for a team that began the day a half-game ahead of Atlanta for the National League’s third wild-card spot.
“I have been in the lineup a little bit more and it’s been fun,” Taylor said before the Mets lost to the Mariners, 4-0, at T-Mobile Park.
The right-handed swinging Taylor’s reverse splits have endeared him to manager Carlos Mendoza, given that Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil are the only starters that swing left-handed, in addition to switch-hitter Francisco Lindor.
Overall this season, Taylor has produced at a .272/.318/.462 clip with five homers in 171 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers.
Against lefties he’s struggled, owning a .183/.230/.293 slash line with one homer in 87 plate appearances.
On a team for which hitting with runners in scoring position has been an issue, Taylor was a solid 20-for-77 (.260) as play began.
But Taylor’s offensive contributions have been perhaps secondary to the value he brings to the Mets as a defensive presence.
Taylor entered play at plus-3 in outs above average, which placed him in MLB’s 82nd percentile.
His arm strength ranked in the 90th percentile.
“I don’t pay attention to any of that stuff,” Taylor said. “[Outfield coach] Antoan Richardson will come up to us and if it’s helpful, there are certain stats on like how well you are getting a jump and if there is something I need to work on, they kind of let me know. Other than that I just go out there and do my best and hopefully it’s enough. I am glad it’s been enough so far.”
It is on defense where Marte had struggled before he was diagnosed with the bone bruise in his right that sent him to the IL.
There is a chance Marte will rejoin the Mets during their next homestand, likely meaning a diminished role for Taylor, who has shared right field with trade deadline acquisition Jesse Winker.
But the bench role is also what team brass had in mind for Taylor when he was acquired, along with Adrian Houser, in a trade with the Brewers last winter.
In Taylor, who is under club control through the 2026 season, the Mets have a player who appears comfortable in his surroundings.
“From Day 1, I have come in and gotten positive vibes from everybody here,” he said. “It was my first time being traded and I think everyone here, we all have the same goal in mind, we’re all trying to be our best every day and it’s a fun group to be around from the players to the staff.”
Taylor’s versatility and productivity have left Mendoza with plenty of options when constructing a lineup each day.
“T.T. has been good for us not only defensively, but also against righties and getting big hits for us,” Mendoza said. “And whenever he’s not in the lineup he’s ready to come in and play.”