PITTSBURGH — Pirates outfielder Starling Marte will begin a rehab assignment with the Bradenton Marauders on Sunday, the team announced. The Marauders will host the Florida Fire Frogs at LECOM Park at 1 p.m. Sunday. Tim Williams will be providing live coverage, and will talk to Marte about his suspension prior to the game.
Marte has been serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He is eligible to return to the major-league roster no earlier than July 18. He is expected to have a 15-game minor-league rehab stint. Marte’s rehab stint will most likely end with four home games with the Indianapolis Indians from July 13 to 16.