The biggest question for the New York Mets heading into the spring training and the 2025 season was their starting pitching rotation. The team lost Luis Severino to free agency, and Jose Quintana remains unsigned. To try and replace those names, the team signed Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas in the hopes that they would give them innings at the back end of the rotation. Unfortunately, Montas has suffered a high-grade lat strain during spring training and will be out for 6-8 weeks. Taking him out for at least the first month or two of the season.
Frankie Montas has not been throwing and will apparently remain shut down for a significant stretch. More info coming soon.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) February 17, 2025
News: Mets starter Frankie Montas has a high-grade lat strain. He’s going to be shut down 6-8 weeks.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 17, 2025
Following that initial shutdown period, Montas is going to need the equivalent of a full spring training buildup. That means a best-case scenario would have him debuting in mid-May. Realistically, it could be more like June.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 17, 2025
For a team that already had questions on their pitching rotation, this is a big loss for the Mets. New York was counting on Montas to give them innings and now will have to rely on their depth early into camp. Pitchers such as Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, and Tylor Megill will have to step up and earn Montas’ spot in the rotation. There’s also the possibility of re-signing the aforementioned Quintana. Quintana pitched the last two seasons in Queens and did well. He especially was solid down the stretch and into the postseason in 2024. New York could look to re-sign him now.
Last year, Montas pitched to a 7-11 record and a 4.84 ERA with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, respectively. Montas is still coming off shoulder surgery, which caused him to miss the majority of the 2023 season.
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
