ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pittsburgh left fielder Starling Marte underwent a CT scan on Tuesday night after complaining of “concussion-like symptoms” following a second-base collision at Tropicana Field.
Results were not immediately available and it is unknown how much time the 25-year-old could miss. Stringent Major League Baseball concussion protocols make a seven-day disabled list stint available and dictate that a player cannot participate in baseball activities until symptom-free for three days.
Marte’s helmeted head struck the knee of Rays second baseman Sean Rodriguez violently as he was tagged out trying to steal second base in the fifth inning. Marte’s head appeared to bow backward slightly and he lay over top of second base for several seconds, though never appeared to lose consciousness. Marte seemed unsteady on his feet after being attended to by manager Clint Hurdle and eventually walked off the field with assistance. He was replaced by Travis Snider.
Any prolonged absence for Marte would break up what has become a potent offensive bloc for the Pirates with rookie right fielder Gregory Polanco leading off, Marte batting second, and center fielder Andrew McCutchen hitting third. On Tuesday, Polanco went 1-for-2 with a run and a stolen base, Marte was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI, and McCutchen knocked in two runs, making them a combined 46-for-134 (.343), with six doubles, two home runs, 22 RBIs and 24 runs in their 10 games in that configuration.
“The top three guys are unique with their lineup,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Not everybody has all of that. The big thing is to keep them off base. … When you’re going to beat this group, it seems you have to keep those guys off base.”
Marte is batting .260 overall, but is 21-for-56 with five doubles, a homer and nine RBIs in the last 12 games and is 14-for-44 with nine runs scored in the past 10 in the two hole.