New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Monday that newly-acquired pitcher Frankie Montas has sustained a high-grade latissimus dorsi strain and will miss anywhere from six-eight weeks of play time, including opening day.
According to The New York Post’s Mike Puma and Jon Heyman, Montas has not been throwing since arriving at spring training, and will be shut down for a “significant stretch”.
Mendoza said at spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla: “He is on his way to New York right now to get a PRP [platelet-rich plasma] injection to help his back” and will need a spring-training-like “ramp up” after his six to eight week shutdown, but he doesn’t plan to reevaluate his plans for the Mets’ six-man rotation. Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Paul Blackburn are the other pitchers in the Mets’ projected rotation. Said Mendoza: “We’ve got options, we’ve got depth. It’s still too early. Here we are dealing with an injury to one of the starters. We will continue to have those conversations.”
The 31-year-old, right-handed veteran signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Mets in December. over his first 160 career appearances, Montas went 44-46 with a 4.09 ERA. Last season, Montas went 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA over 30 starts last season, which he split between the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.
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