Starling Marte added to Mets' postseason roster after missing time with injury

The Mets included outfielder Starling Marte on their roster for their Wild Card Round series against the Padres after he missed the final month of the regular season with a broken right middle finger.

Marte was listed on the roster just three days after manager Buck Showalter said Marte had improved, but "not to the point where he can play in a game." The Mets wouldn't include Marte on their roster if they didn't feel he could play this weekend, so his presence could give New York a major boost after the team's disappointing finish to the regular season.

There's a chance Marte will primarily be used as a pinch-runner, but the inclusion of speedster Terrance Gore on the roster seems to indicate the Mets already have that covered. Fingers are also at risk when stealing bases, so if Marte is cleared to run the bases, he's likely cleared to swing the bat as well.

The 33-year-old was an All-Star in his first season in New York, batting .292 with 16 home runs and an .814 OPS before the injury. 

Showalter also included rookie Francisco Alvarez on the roster, just a week after Alvarez made his major-league debut. Trade deadline acquisition Tyler Naquin was left off the roster in another sign of the team's confidence in Marte.

The Mets face the Padres in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round on Friday night at Citi Field.