PITTSBURGH -- Thursday marked Marlins outfielder Starling Marte's return to PNC Park for the first time since trading in his black and yellow gear.

Marte, who signed with the Pirates in 2007 as a teenager, spent his first eight big league seasons in Pittsburgh before being dealt to Arizona in January 2020. Miami acquired him at last August's Deadline.

During his stint with the Pirates, Marte was a 2016 All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Pittsburgh reached three straight postseasons from 2013-15, which snapped a two-decade playoff drought. Leading the way was the dynamic outfield trio of Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco.

"It's great to be back and see the Pirates," Marte told a small group of reporters during batting practice. "It's very special coming in here and coming back to this park. The guys, the people around -- it's great. We've got to keep playing."

When Marte stepped to the plate for his at-bat in the first inning, the Pirates aired a video tribute on the jumbotron. He took a few seconds to acknowledge the crowd's applause. That type of support was among his favorite memories during his time with the Buccos.

"I remember every day being in the outfield with the fans cheering for me," Marte said.

Staying in the loop
Miguel Rojas, who is on the injured list with a left index-finger dislocation, provided an update on his status while co-hosting the latest episode of the "Chris Rose Rotation" podcast.

"I'm feeling really, really good already," Rojas said. "I thought I was going to miss more time, but I'm working my [butt] off every single day to get back on the field as soon as possible. I'm not going to let this injury take extra time that I'm supposed to be out for."

According to manager Don Mattingly, Rojas is throwing but not catching, and he is keeping his arm moving with a range of motion. The pain and swelling are starting to subside.

Rojas went on to say that he remains in a group chat that includes texts with the day's starting lineup and schedule. Though he can't be there in person, it makes him feel part of the team.

"The main thing is it looks like it's progressing evenly and naturally the way it should," Mattingly said. "No setbacks with that. Miggy's a part of the group, and nowadays the technology is so much different. These guys are on chats and they're back and forth all the time, so if he's in the hotel room or in his house it doesn't seem like that much different. Obviously we miss him on the field, we miss him in the clubhouse -- that leadership side of it, production, all those types of things. But as far as him being a part of the group, nowadays that's just a different arena. Those guys seem to be able to stay connected."