Frankie Montas felt discomfort in the back of his triceps during his very first bullpen session after reporting to Mets camp, and soon after learned that his debut with the team would be delayed nearly two months.
One of New York’s main starting pitching additions will be shut down for 4-6 weeks with a high-grade lat strain, and Montas told reporters on Wednesday that the injury was a deflating revelation after what he believed was a strong offseason of building up before spring training.
“It's definitely a lot of frustration, because I was feeling really good in the winter,” Montas said. “I had a smooth offseason, a healthy offseason. To come here and have that happen, it’s definitely [frustrating].”
The 31-year-olf signed a one-year, $17 million deal with the Mets this offseason, but he won’t get to pitch in meaningful games until May or later, as he will have to go through a full spring training program after not throwing for those 4-6 weeks. Still, that timeline is slightly more optimistic than the team’s initial prognosis, and Montas plans on wasting no time working his way back to help a starting rotation that remains the team’s greatest question mark.
“Trying to get better in a lot of areas, trying to get my body better so when I come back, I want to be ready to go and ready to help,” Montas said. “I got a PRP shot yesterday, feeling pretty good. Just have to let that work and jump into this rehab so I can come back as soon as possible.”
Montas dealt with shoulder injuries during his time with the Yankees, but made 30 starts with the Reds and Brewers last season, pitching to a 4.84 ERA in the process. He won’t have a full season in 2025, but he plans on being a key factor down the stretch for the Mets, when he hopes the team is making a pennant push.
“It’s not about how you start,” Montas said. “It’s how you finish.”