Frankie Montas says he feels advantageous bodily.
For the Mets right-hander, that’s crucial takeaway by way of 5 begins in his rehab task for a strained proper lat.
However the outcomes on the sector have been much less encouraging.
Montas struggled once more on Friday night time with Triple-A Syracuse, surrendering eight runs in 1.2 innings in opposition to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He now owns a 13.17 ERA over 13.2 innings with Excessive-A Brooklyn and Triple-A Syracuse.
“Tough start, but I felt pretty good,” Montas, 32, mentioned Saturday at Citi Subject. “The ball is coming out good. Just working on a couple things that I need to work on.”
The Mets hoped Montas would throw 80 to 85 pitches throughout Friday’s begin in opposition to the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, however he threw solely 53 earlier than he was lifted with two outs within the second inning.
Montas mentioned he “would’ve loved to get more pitches in,” however supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned leaving the right-hander within the sport would have put him in danger. Montas threw 32 pitches within the second inning alone.
The Mets anticipate Montas to make yet another rehab begin at Triple-A, however they haven’t decided whether or not he will likely be a starter or a reliever when he joins the major-league roster.
“We haven’t made that decision yet,” Mendoza mentioned. “He’s got one more, and then we’re going to have to make a decision there.”
Montas allowed seven hits and a stroll in Friday’s begin, and he additionally hit a batter. The 2-run residence run struck by Brennen Davis was the seventh homer Montas has allowed throughout his rehab stint.
Hitters are batting .371 in opposition to Montas throughout his rehab task. Montas has but to throw greater than 76 pitches in a begin.
“I wouldn’t say ‘concern,’ because physically he says he’s fine,” Mendoza mentioned. “If there was one thing bodily fallacious then you definitely’d say, ‘OK, there’s some concern right here.’ It’s extra mechanics and issues like that.
“As he continues to get reps, we’re hoping that we start seeing better results, but as far as physically, he’s in a good place.”
The Mets signed Montas within the offseason to a two-year, $34 million contract, envisioning him as a part of a rotation that misplaced Luis Severino and Jose Quintana from final yr’s workers.
Proper shoulder points — which in the end resulted in surgical procedure — restricted Montas to eight appearances with the Yankees from 2022-23, however he made 30 begins final season with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.
Montas, who had a 4.84 ERA final yr, was recognized with the lat pressure throughout spring coaching, and he’s but to seem within the majors this season.
He mentioned Saturday that he feels “pretty good” and that that is most likely the strongest his arm and shoulder have felt “in a while.”
“I want to help, man,” Montas mentioned. “I want to help. That’s the biggest thing for me. That’s what’s killing me, not being able to help. Obviously, the team is doing pretty good, but I’m the type of guy who likes to do my part.”
Requested what he expects his function to be when he returns, Montas mentioned, “Whatever they tell me to do, that’s what I’m going to do.”
ON THE MARK
Mark Vientos is predicted to start a rehab task with Triple-A Syracuse within the coming week, with Mendoza mentioning Tuesday or Wednesday as potentialities.
The third baseman has been on the injured record with a proper hamstring pressure since June 3.
“He ran [Friday] up to 90%,” Mendoza mentioned. “He’s a full-go as far as hitting [and] taking ground balls.”
Vientos is hitting .230 with six residence runs in 53 video games this season.
MORE MANAEA
Sean Manaea (indirect) is about to make his third rehab begin on Sunday. The left-hander has a 6.23 ERA after two begins with Excessive-A Brooklyn, however he hurled 2.2 scoreless innings over 46 pitches in his final outing.
“Where he’s at in his rehab process, I think it’s just more how he’s feeling afterwards,” Mendoza mentioned. “He continues to throw strikes. I think at this point, as he’s increasing his pitch count, it’s just, ‘How is he going to feel the next few days?’ But he’s still earlier on in that process.”
