Starling Marte will play in the Dominican Winter League after all.
The Pirates’ 29-year-old outfielder was added to the roster of Leones del Escogido, one of six teams in the league, Monday — more than two weeks after the season began.
The move does not come as a surprise, however.
Neal Huntington told reporters prior to the season finale in Washington D.C. last month that the club was going to have discussions with Marte about possibly playing in the league, which began play Oct. 13 and will finish the regular season Dec. 17, to prepare him for 2018.
The idea is that playing will help Marte, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, make up for at-bats he lost during his 80-game suspension after his positive test for Nandrolone this season.
In 77 games, Marte slashed .275/.333/.712 with seven home runs, 31 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 339 plate appearances — 190 fewer than 2016. However, he did have a strong finish, batting .322 with three home runs and 12 RBI in his final 24 games of the season.
This will be the fourth time Marte has played in the Dominican Winter League, and he likely won't spend the time in center field. Huntington told reporters last month that the plan is for Andrew McCutchen to remain in center field next season while keeping Marte in left and Gregory Polanco in right.