URGENT UPDATE: The New York Mets have officially moved struggling right-hander Frankie Montas to the bullpen as of Tuesday, September 12, 2023. This decision comes on the heels of a seven-game losing streak and amid mounting frustrations regarding the team’s pitching performance.
Montas, who signed a two-year, $34 million deal in December, has faced significant challenges this season. After suffering a strained right lat during spring training, he has struggled since his return, recording a staggering 12.05 ERA in six rehab appearances and a 6.38 ERA in eight games, including seven starts, with the Mets. The 32-year-old has not pitched more than 5 2/3 innings in any outing, contributing to the Mets’ ongoing pitching woes.
The Mets have not seen a starter go beyond six innings since June 7, a stark statistic that underscores the team’s current struggles, as they hold a 22-31 record during this stretch. Montas last took the mound on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, throwing 72 pitches and allowing three runs—one earned—in just three innings.
Manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized the need for consistency from Montas, stating,
“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.”
With Montas relegated to the bullpen, the Mets face uncertainty regarding who will fill his spot in the rotation for Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Currently, the Mets lack a long reliever due to the injury of Paul Blackburn, who is scheduled for another minor league rehab appearance Wednesday.
The Mets are considering promotions from their Triple-A affiliate, with prospects Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat in the mix. McLean, a right-hander selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, boasts an impressive 2.45 ERA and has struck out 127 batters in 113 2/3 innings across 21 appearances, including 18 starts this season. Sproat, another righty drafted in the second round of 2023, holds a 4.10 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 101 innings.
Mendoza stated,
“They are in the conversation, we just haven’t decided who the guy is.”
The urgency of the situation is palpable as the Mets aim to turn their season around. Fans are left to wonder how these roster changes will impact the team’s performance moving forward.
As the Mets gear up for their series opener against the Atlanta Braves, the implications of this decision are clear: the team must adapt quickly to regain momentum in the tightly contested NL East. The Mets currently trail the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies by six games, making every decision critical as the season progresses.
