UPDATE: The New York Mets have just announced a significant shake-up, moving struggling right-hander Frankie Montas to the bullpen as they seek to reverse a troubling trend. This decision comes after Montas’ lackluster performance, including a staggering 12.05 ERA in six rehab appearances and a 6.38 ERA in eight games for the Mets, including seven starts.
Montas, who signed a $34 million deal last December, has battled injuries, most notably a strained right lat suffered during spring training. After returning, he failed to pitch more than 5 2/3 innings in any outing, contributing to the Mets’ struggle as they posted a disappointing 22-31 record since June 7. This performance comes at a critical time, as the Mets have lost seven straight games and trail the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies by six games.
In his most recent outing against the MLB-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, Montas threw 72 pitches, allowing three runs—one earned—in just three innings. As he worked his usual side session on Tuesday, he was expected to be available in the bullpen starting Thursday, a significant shift as Montas hasn’t pitched out of the bullpen since his rookie season with the Oakland Athletics in 2017.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the need for consistency, highlighting Montas’ health challenges and the team’s current predicament. “It’s been a battle for him, health-wise. He understands where we’re at in the season, and that’s why we made the decision,” Mendoza stated.
As Montas transitions, the Mets face uncertainty regarding who will take his spot in the starting rotation for Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Currently, they lack a long man in the bullpen due to the injured Paul Blackburn, who is set to make another minor league rehab appearance Wednesday. This situation may prompt the Mets to promote one of two promising prospects from Triple-A Syracuse: Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat.
McLean, a 24-year-old right-hander drafted in the third round of 2023, has an impressive 8-5 record with a 2.45 ERA and 127 strikeouts over 113 2/3 innings this season. Sproat, also 24 and a second-round pick, holds a 7-5 record with a 4.10 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 101 innings. Mendoza remarked, “They are in the conversation; we just haven’t decided who the guy is.”
The Mets urgently need to find solutions as they navigate this crucial period of the season. With Montas now in the bullpen and potential new talent on the horizon, fans are eager to see how these changes will impact the team’s fortunes moving forward.