Mets Lose Starling Marte, Jesse Winker to Injuries Amid Key Depth Strains

The New York Mets faced a challenging day as they were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in a doubleheader, highlighting ongoing struggles with bullpen depth and offensive production. The absence of left-handed reliever A.J. Minter has severely impacted the Mets' ability to manage lefty hitters in critical situations, as seen when Ryne Stanek allowed a go-ahead home run in the opener. Compounding their difficulties, key offensive players have suffered injuries: Jesse Winker exited early with back tightness just days after returning from the injured list, and Starling Marte was placed on the IL with a recurring right knee bruise, removing both primary designated hitter options. The Mets also lost pitching depth when reliever Tyler Zuber was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins, limiting their bullpen flexibility further. Manager Carlos Mendoza and team officials are now faced with the challenge of cobbling together enough pitching and offensive firepower to remain competitive as they approach the All-Star break and the season’s crucial stretch.