Frankie Montas Faces Setback: Mets’ Rotation Plans Tested
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The New York Mets are facing an early challenge this season as their right-hander, Frankie Montas, has been diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain. This unfortunate news was confirmed by manager Carlos Mendoza on Monday, and it means Montas will be sidelined for six to eight weeks. The timing couldn’t be worse as the Mets gear up for the new season.
Montas, who was on his way to New York to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection to speed up his recovery, started feeling discomfort after his first side session of spring training last week. With the expected downtime and the necessary buildup after not throwing for at least six weeks, Montas is likely to miss a significant portion of the season. This is a tough pill to swallow for the Mets, who had high hopes for Montas after signing him to a two-year, $34 million contract in December.
Despite this setback, Mendoza remains optimistic about the team’s pitching depth. “We got options,” Mendoza said. “We got depth. It’s still too early.” The Mets are planning to stick with a six-man rotation, a strategy that could help manage the workload of their pitchers over the long season.
Montas, 31, had a challenging season last year, posting a 4.84 ERA in 30 starts for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. His career has been marred by injuries, with a shoulder injury limiting him to 19 starts in 2022 and just one outing in 2023. The Mets were hoping for a fresh start for Montas, but it seems the injury bug has struck again.
With Montas out of the picture for now, the Mets will look to veterans like Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, and Tylor Megill to step up and compete for the final two spots in the rotation as the season begins.
Key Points to Consider:
- Frankie Montas diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain.
- Expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
- Mets plan to maintain a six-man rotation.
- Montas signed a two-year, $34 million contract in December.
- Veterans Blackburn, Canning, and Megill to compete for rotation spots.
Mendoza’s confidence in the team’s depth is reassuring for Mets fans. “There’s always a lot in here,” Mendoza said. “And we’ve been talking about it the whole offseason: We know that in order for us to get 162-plus, we need eight to 10 guys. And here we are. There’s nothing new for us. Guys will step up. Guys will get opportunities. And we feel good with the options we have.”
As the Mets navigate this early-season hurdle, the focus will be on how well the rest of the pitching staff can fill the void left by Montas. The team’s ability to adapt and overcome this challenge will be crucial in their quest for a successful season. Mets fans will be watching closely to see who rises to the occasion and how the team manages this unexpected twist.
Originally Written by: Jorge Castillo
