The New York Mets have officially designated Frankie Montas for assignment, marking the end of his brief and troubled stint with the team. On Tuesday, the Mets requested waivers for Montas’ unconditional release, a move that comes on the heels of his recent Tommy John surgery, which has sidelined him for the entirety of the 2026 season. This decision also frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for promising outfield prospect Nick Morabito.
Montas, who signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Mets last offseason, struggled to make an impact during his time in New York. He made just nine appearances (seven as a starter), posting a disappointing 6.28 ERA over 38 ⅔ innings. His performance mirrored his challenges with the New York Yankees from 2022 to 2023, where injuries severely limited his contributions as well.
The right-hander’s troubles began early in the season when a lat strain delayed his Mets debut until June 24. After a rocky start that resulted in a 6.68 ERA, Montas was demoted to the bullpen, making only two relief appearances before the need for elbow surgery became apparent. Montas expressed dissatisfaction with his demotion, indicating it had been a frustrating period for him.
The Mets’ decision to release Montas also serves to protect Morabito, a 22-year-old outfielder who had an impressive season in Double-A Binghamton, hitting .273 with six home runs, 59 RBIs, and a remarkable 49 steals in 118 games. Furthermore, Morabito showed his potential in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .362 with a homer, eight RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in just 17 games.
With Montas now off the roster, the Mets continue to focus on developing young talent while looking forward to a promising future.