The New York Mets are searching for answers.
Mets’ Carlos Mendoza Announces Frankie Montas Decision After Seventh Straight Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Mets are playing their worst baseball of the season, and time is running out to right the ship. After leading the NL East to start the season, they're now six games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place and just two games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the third and final NL Wild Card spot with six weeks left.
Starting pitcher Frankie Montas (3-2, 6.38 ERA) has not helped the situation. The Mets signed the veteran right-hander to a two-year, $34 million deal in December, but he didn't pitch until June 24 due to a lat strain.
New York manager Carlos Mendoza announced an update about Montas before Friday's bout with the Atlanta Braves, via SNY.
"He's gonna go to the bullpen," he said. "We had that conversation today. He's going to throw a side, and the first day that he'll be available is Thursday."
Mendoza also mentioned that the team could call up a pitcher from Triple-A to fill Montas' rotational spot on Saturday.
Carlos Mendoza says that Frankie Montas will be moving to the bullpen.
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 12, 2025
Montas' spot in the rotation will come up on Saturday and Mendoza says "it's possible" someone will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to make the start. pic.twitter.com/XMzJUYGNct
Frankie Montas has been disastrous signing for Mets
Montas was never an elite pitcher, but he was once much more effective. The native Dominican had a sub-4.00 ERA for the Athletics in 2018, 2019, and 2021, including a 2.63 mark across 16 starts in 2019.
However, Montas struggled after they traded him to the New York Yankees in 2022. The 6-foot-2-inch, 255-pounder had a 3.18 ERA over 19 starts for the Athletics that season before notching a 6.35 ERA over eight starts for the Yankees. He then made just one appearance the following year after getting arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Montas signed a one-year deal with the Reds after that, who traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers midseason. He recorded a 4.48 ERA over 30 combined starts for both clubs.
The Mets took a chance on Montas when he hit free agency again this past offseason, but it backfired. Now, they're paying $17 million for a struggling pitcher, and will do so again next year if he accepts his player option.
Right-hander Clay Holmes (9-6, 3.46 ERA) will start against Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (5-9, 4.04 ERA) at Citi Field on Tuesday night. This matchup will start a three-game series between the two clubs.
After that, New York will host the Seattle Mariners before hitting the road to play the Washington Nationals and Atlanta again.
Related: Pete Alonso Announces Plan for Retirement as $24 Million Mets Decision Nears
Related: Carlos Mendoza Facing Backlash for Defending Controversial Decision After Guardians Loss
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
