Starling Marte Expected to Join Spikes Tuesday
September 4, 2012 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release
(STATE COLLEGE, PA) - Injured Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte is expected to join the State College Spikes today and be in the lineup for tonight's 7:05 p.m. game against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Marte's appearance with the Spikes will begin a minor league rehab assignment for the Bucs' rookie, who was placed on the 15-day Disabled List August 19 with a right oblique injury. The 22-year old is likely to only appear in one game for the Spikes before moving on to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
In 23 games with Pittsburgh, the native of the Dominican Republic has hit .253 (24-for-93) with two triples, four home runs, 10 RBI and four stolen bases. Marte made his major league debut with the Pirates on July 26 at Houston, and became the first Pittsburgh player since 1922 to hit a home run on the first pitch of his big-league career.
Despite being originally signed by Pittsburgh in 2007, Marte did not play for the Spikes during his climb through the Bucs' minor league system. He became recognized as one of the top prospects in all of baseball last summer, when he hit .332 and posted a franchise-record 178 hits for the Double-A Altoona Curve en route to being named the Eastern League's Rookie of the Year and an EL post-season all-star selection.
Two previous Pirates' major league players -- Zach Duke (2007) and Phil Dumatrait (2009) -- have appeared on an injury rehab assignment with the Spikes.
In addition to Marte's expected appearance in the Spikes' lineup, fans attending Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. game (gates open at 6) can enjoy spectacular post-game fireworks thanks to Vision Creative Solutions, plus the first 500 fans will receive a Spikes t-shirt courtesy of BioLife Plasma Services.
Great seats are still available for Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. game and can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Medlar Field Box Office starting at 9 a.m. Fans can also buy and print seats for Tuesday's game by going to StateCollegeSpikes.com.
New York-Penn League Stories from September 4, 2012
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- State College Spikes Game Notes - September 4 vs. Mahoning Valley - State College Spikes
- Starling Marte Expected to Join Spikes Tuesday - State College Spikes
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