In spite of, not because of, their $34 million investment in veteran right-hander Frankie Montas, the New York Mets will win the 2025 World Series if they accomplish their aim.
The same is true for 2026.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, 32-year-old Montas has a rupture in his right elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament. This ailment is expected to necessitate season-ending surgery and keep Montas out for the whole upcoming season.
During the latter year of his two-year deal, Montas had the option to opt out. The Mets will now most likely have to pay the whole $34 million they spent on Montas.
This season, the veteran right-hander has pitched nine games for the Mets, with a dismal 6.28 ERA. In his debut season in Queens, he only threw 38.2 innings before being taken out of the starting rotation.
Thankfully, the Mets have two Triple-A pitching prospects who are ready for the major leagues. Since replacing Montas in the rotation, 23-year-old right-hander Nolan McLean has made three starts and is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.89. After getting off to a strong start at Triple-A Syraucse, right-hander Jonah Tong will make his debut on Friday against the Miami Marlins.
Regretfully, they have very little room for mistake. Right-handed starters Tylor Megill (who might return from a minor league rehab assignment this weekend) and Griffin Canning (who is out for the season after going 7-3 in 16 starts) were already injured for the Mets.
After ten years in the elite leagues, Montas has had a number of disheartening injuries.
Montas has only played in 169 games (136 starts) since making his debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2015. He has also played for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Mets, and the White Sox. Additionally, he has played for the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Over his career, Montas has a 4.20 ERA and a 47-48 record. After being acquired by the Reds and Brewers in a midseason deal for cash, Joey Wiemer, and Jakob Junis, he finished 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA in 30 starts in 2024. If and when Montas recovers from his most recent setback, it will be difficult to predict his future in baseball given his poor play over the previous two seasons and the severity of his injuries.
It wouldn’t be shocking if he pitched for a team other than the Mets in his next game.
