QUEENS, NY — The New York Mets have announced that starting pitcher Frankie Montas is set to take the mound on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, as confirmed by manager Carlos Mendoza ahead of their series opener against the Guardians at Citi Field.
Mendoza highlighted, “He is going to pitch against the Brewers. Senga is going to go on Friday after the off day.” Despite the possibility of a creative approach with the pitching lineup, Montas is currently slated to play a significant role in Saturday’s game.
Montas, a 32-year-old right-hander, has faced challenges during his debut season with the Mets after signing a two-year, $34 million contract in the offseason. His recent performance has been underwhelming, as he allowed seven runs in four-plus innings against the San Francisco Giants, raising his season ERA to 6.68. This came on the heels of another disappointing outing against the San Diego Padres, where he gave up five runs over 4.1 innings. Despite his struggles, Mendoza assures that Montas will remain in the rotation for now. “I don’t want to get too far ahead,” he stated, indicating they are focused on Montas’ next start.
In related news, veteran pitcher Paul Blackburn is scheduled for one more rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse before potentially rejoining the Mets. Blackburn has been sidelined by a shoulder impingement but had a solid outing in his latest rehab game, allowing two earned runs while striking out three over 5.1 innings.
As the Mets navigate these pitching challenges, they have options in the minors, with the potential addition of Blackburn alongside young talents like Brandon Sproat or Jonah Tong, which could bolster their rotation as the season continues.
The Mets remain hopeful as they strategize to improve their pitching lineup and overcome recent setbacks.