Pirates bench standout player due to lack of effort
The Pittsburgh Pirates have benched one of their key players for Monday’s game for an apparent lack of effort.
According to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, outfielder Starling Marte will not start Monday after a disappointing showing in Sunday’s contest.
Marte benched for lack of effort in Sunday’s game:
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) August 20, 2018
One particular incident stood out during Sunday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Marte jogged to first after slipping coming out of the box, then avoided manager Clint Hurdle upon returning to the dugout.
That was something.
Marte slipped out of the box, elected to jog instead of running hard to force a solid throw by Bote.
Hurdle moved from his dugout perch, stood at bottom of the steps, presumably to have a word with him.
Marte avoided him, went down the other steps instead.
— Chris Mack (@THEChrisMack) August 19, 2018
Marte has frustrated the Pirates before, and this is another annoyance for them. He’ll likely play again Tuesday as long as he gets the message.
