Changes Ahead for the New York Mets as Pitching Staff Adjusts
The New York Mets are facing a challenging moment in their season, and significant changes are on the horizon. Manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Tuesday that Frankie Montas, who has been struggling since his return to the team in late June, is moving from the starting rotation to the bullpen.
Mendoza has not yet revealed who will take Montas’ spot in the starting lineup for the upcoming game against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. However, he hinted that the Mets may call up a pitcher from Triple-A Syracuse to step in.
Two potential candidates for the promotion include Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat, both of whom are 24 years old and have shown promise. McLean, ranked as the 37th-best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, is one of the players the Mets are considering. Regardless of who is selected, Montas’ time as a starter for the Mets appears to be coming to an end.
Mendoza stated, “He’s gonna go to the bullpen. We had that conversation today. He’s going to throw his side, and then the first day that he will be available is Thursday.” This announcement follows Montas’s struggles on the mound, where he has posted a disappointing 6.38 ERA in eight appearances, with seven of those being starts.
Frankie Montas, now 32 years old, was signed by the Mets last offseason on a two-year, $34 million deal. When he joined the team, there were high hopes that he would bolster the pitching rotation. Montas has had moments of brilliance during his nine-season career in Major League Baseball but has often faced setbacks due to injuries.
His 2025 season got off to a rocky start when he suffered a lat injury during spring training, preventing him from making his season debut until June 24 against the Atlanta Braves. Although he pitched a scoreless five-inning game in that appearance, the subsequent performances have not gone as well.
In his first outing out of the bullpen during Saturday’s 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Montas allowed three runs—one of which was earned—while giving up three hits and walking two batters over three innings of relief. This performance contributed to Mendoza’s decision to keep him in the bullpen.
These changes come at a critical time for the Mets as they have been on a significant downturn, losing seven straight games and 11 of their last 12. As of Tuesday, the Mets’ record stands at 63-55, placing them six games behind the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies. Although New York is still in contention for a playoff spot, that position is precarious. They currently hold a two-game advantage over the Cincinnati Reds (62-58) for the final wild-card spot in the National League.
With the pressure mounting, the Mets are not just focusing on the immediate changes in the pitching staff but also on revitalizing their overall performance as they approach the final months of the season. This is particularly important as they seek to maintain their playoff aspirations amidst a challenging landscape.
While the shift of Montas to the bullpen may spark a much-needed change, the team will be looking closely at how the adjustments affect their performance in the coming games. The Mets have seen their potential washed away in recent weeks, and finding solutions will be essential as they continue to battle for a place in the postseason.
As the organization navigates through these difficulties, all eyes will be on the upcoming games, especially with the pivotal matchup against the Mariners. The hope is that the strategic changes will breathe new life into the Mets and help them find a way back to winning form. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this next chapter unfolds for the team.
