Pirates leftfielder Starling Marte exited Wednesday’s 4-3 victory against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning after he was hit by a pitch in the third. Marte remained in the game immediately after to take his base and played two innings of defense before manager Clint Hurdle pinch hit Andrew Lambo for him in the fifth.
Marte was hit on his right hand by a pitch from Chicago righthander Jason Hammel. He was examined by a trainer before he went to first.
Shortly after he was removed from the game the Pirates announced Marte was taken out with pain in his right hand and he was being treated for a soft tissue contusion. Per the team, X-rays on his hand were negative which would indicate there is no fracture in his hand.
Marte was hit for the third time this season and he was hit 17 times last season, the third-highest tally in the National League.
“There’s no protection for the right hand,” Hurdle said. “He wears the elbow guard, he’s trying to cover as many body parts as he can. It’s a work in progress.”
