The New York Mets have suffered a significant setback just weeks before Opening Day, as two of their top offseason pitching acquisitions have been sidelined in rapid succession. These injuries not only weaken the rotation but also place additional pressure on the team’s depth and front office to find immediate solutions.
The first blow came last week when the Mets announced that right-hander Frankie Montas, who was expected to be a key piece in the starting rotation after signing a two-year, $34 million contract, would be out indefinitely due to a high-grade lat strain. Montas will be shut down completely for six to eight weeks before he can even begin a throwing program. Once cleared, he will require another six weeks to regain full pitching strength and return to game action. At best, the Mets may not see Montas back in the rotation until late May or early June, leaving a major void in their starting five.
Now, in a devastating turn of events, the Mets have lost another key starter who will not be available for Opening Day. With two significant arms down before the season even begins, the Mets are suddenly facing a rotation crisis. The team will now have to explore their depth options, potentially relying on younger, unproven pitchers or looking externally for reinforcements.
For a team with postseason aspirations, losing two major starters before the first pitch of the season is far from ideal. The front office and coaching staff will need to act swiftly to stabilize the rotation and prevent the situation from derailing their early-season performance. As the Mets navigate these challenges, all eyes will be on how they adapt and whether their remaining arms can step up to fill the void.
