Frankie Montas was confident that his poor rehab numbers from the injured lat that had kept him out since the first day of spring training were not a cause for concern. He made a significant step toward proving that on Tuesday night in his 2025 season debut, pitching five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks with five strikeouts.
“I thought he was good,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I thought the ball was coming out well.”
With this performance came a sense of relief. In six minor-league starts, the 32-year-old right-hander who signed a two-year, $34 million contract to join New York had a concerning 12.05 ERA with a 2.14 WHIP. However, it became clear that his priorities were different.
“When I was in the minor leagues, I was trying to get my pitches in, get my pitch count up, work on my pitches, and try to get ready for when I got an opportunity up here,” Montas said. “Tonight, I was just trying to go out there and do my job, get people out.”
He overcame every challenge he faced. After starting the game with a strikeout of Ronald Acuna Jr., Montas had runners on the corners with one out in the first before inducing an inning-ending double play from Austin Riley.
With two men on and one out in the third, he got Matt Olson to fly out to center and Marcell Ozuna to strike out swinging. He then retired six of the final eight men he faced, leaving the game with a 3-0 lead.
“That’s kind of like the guy we saw in the playoffs,” Mendoza said, referencing Montas’ start against New York for the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Series. “It’s easy 97 mph, a heavy sinker, he’s around the zone.
“If we get a guy like that, he’s going to help us, and that’s why he’s here.”
But then, in typical Mets fashion, everything unraveled.
Reliever Huascar Brazoban walked the bases loaded in the sixth inning before Jose Castillo and Reed Garrett allowed five runs. In an instant, the Mets had lost for the 10th time in 11 games.
“There’s definitely some frustration,” shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “We don’t want to lose. I do feel a sense of urgency from the guys. It’s all about winning, and we’re not doing that right now.”
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