The Mets’ desire to use a six-man rotation suffered a significant blow that was announced Monday: Frankie Montas is shut down for six to eight weeks due to a high-grade lat strain, and he will miss ‘significant time.’
Montas, 31, signed a two-year, $34 million deal this offseason after making 30 starts between Cincinnati and Milwaukee last year, but he experienced discomfort after his first side session last week. He was headed back to New York for a PRP injection, but it looks like he could be out for at least the first month or two of the season.
That said, manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that he still plans to use a six-man rotation in deference to keeping Kodai Senga, who missed almost all of last year with two different injuries, on a regular-to-him schedule and healthy, and the Mets have options without Montas.
“We got depth. It's still too early,” Mendoza said. “"There's always a lot in here, 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."
Senga, the re-signed Sean Manaea, and stalwart David Peterson will occupy the top three spots, with Clay Holmes, signed after serving as the Yankees’ closer the last few years, transitioning into the rotation.
There are now two spots open at the back, however, with a group including Tylor Megill (first-time arbitration eligible), Paul Blackburn (third-time arb eligible, returning from spinal issues), and Griffin Canning (signed to a one-year deal) and top prospects Brandon Sproat and Blade Tidwell in the mix.
The Mets could also look to the free agent market, perhaps for a reunion with Jose Quintana, or the trade market to replace Montas, who is no stranger to missing time in New York – he was acquired by te Yankees at the 2022 trade deadline with 1 ½ years of control remaining, but he had a 6.35 ERA in eight starts down the stretch around shoulder inflammation, and then missed almost all of 2023 after shoulder surgery.
Six weeks from Monday is March 31, at which point the season will be a few games old, so even in the shortest timeline, that shutdown plus a normal spring training-length ramp up leaves Montas out until likely mid-May at the earlier.