Bucs place Marte on DL as ‘paperwork move’

ST. LOUIS — The Pirates quietly placed All-Star outfielder Starling Marte on the 15-day disabled list Saturday due to back tightness.

Marte has made only three plate appearances since Sept. 5, as he’s been plagued by lower back spasms and tightness. The 15-day DL is seldom used during September due to expanded rosters. The Pirates didn’t make a corresponding move or add anyone to their active roster in Marte’s place.

“Simply a paperwork move,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “We felt it was useful for a variety of reasons to note that he went on the DL.”

Huntington did not elaborate on the decision beyond that but said the move had nothing to do with Marte’s contract status. Marte is playing under a guaranteed deal that runs through 2019, with club options for ’20 and ’21.

The move was not necessary in the sense that Marte’s condition and availability have not changed; he was already unofficially shut down for the season. The assignment is retroactive to Sept. 28.

Marte ends the year with a .311 average and .818 OPS. He hit nine home runs and stole 47 bases while playing his usual brand of excellent left-field defense. Marte was worth 18 …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com