ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Pirates now have two-thirds of their starting outfield back as Starling Marte was activated from the 10-day injured list prior to the Pirates' game with the Rangers tonight in the opener of a two-game series at Globe Life Park.
Rookie outfielder Jason Martin was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. In 17 games and 38 plate appearances this season, Martin is hit .229/.289/.286 with three runs and two RBI. He also added two stolen bases.
Getting his center fielder back put Clint Hurdle in a happy mood.
Marte was injured in a collision with shortstop Erik Gonzalez while tracking a fly ball April 19 in the eighth inning of a 4-1 win over the Giants at PNC Park. Gonzalez, however, took the worst of it, as he landed on the 60-day IL and required surgery to repair a fractured clavicle. Marte, meanwhile, returns from his abdominal wall and quad contusions after missing nine games.
The team went 1-8 in his absence, including getting swept in a four-game series against the Diamondbacks at home and in a three-game series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
Gregory Polanco returned from the IL last week after recovering from shoulder surgery performed last September. Meanwhile, Corey Dickerson remains sidelined with a strained right shoulder and his status is uncertain after his scheduled rehab assignment at Indianapolis last weekend was cancelled because of stiffness in the shoulder while throwing.
