Mets' Montas has high-grade lat strain, shut down for 6-8 weeks
New York Mets right-hander Frankie Montas will be shut down for approximately six-to-eight weeks because of a high-grade right lat strain, manager Carlos Mendoza announced Monday, according to Newsday's Tim Healey.
Montas is now traveling to New York, where he'll receive a platelet-rich plasma injection to help aid his recovery, Mendoza added.
Montas, who joined the Mets on a two-year, $34-million contract this offseason, hadn't been throwing since arriving at camp because of the issue, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
When he'll be ready to make his Mets debut is still unclear. Montas will need time to build his arm up after the extended shutdown, which could delay his joining the big club until late May or even June, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
The 31-year-old missed most of the 2023 season because of shoulder surgery. He returned in 2024 to post a 4.84 ERA and 1.37 WHIP along with 148 strikeouts across 30 starts split between the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. Last year marked just the third time in nine big-league seasons that Montas threw over 140 innings.
Montas was expected to be a big part of New York's rotation behind Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga.
Potential options to take his place in the rotation include Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and Justin Hagenman.