The New York Mets pitching depth has taken another major hit, and the 2018 season has yet to begin.
There is no questioning the potential of the New York Mets pitching staff. Led by Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom, the Mets have a one-two punch that would be the envy of any team in the league. Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler have plenty of talent, but have been unable to stay healthy. Matt Harvey still has time to rediscover the form that made him appear to be a future ace in his own right. Add in veteran starter Jason Vargas, and the starting rotation could be as formidable as any in the game.
However, that depth has taken a hit. Matz and Wheeler, for all of their talent, cannot stay healthy. The injury bug found Vargas, as he will miss time with a broken wrist. Rafael Montero, who was pressed into the rotation last year, has also fallen victim to the Mets omnipresent injury bug, completely tearing his ulnar collateral ligament. Chances are, he will need Tommy John surgery and not be back until sometime next year.
Mets RHP Rafael Montero has a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will likely need Tommy John surgery.
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 22, 2018
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Once one of the top prospects in the game, Montero struggled in his first taste of extended action in the majors. Over his 34 games, including 18 starts, he posted a 5-11 record with a 5.52 ERA and a 1.748 WHiP, hardly the type of numbers that would lead anyone to expect potential greatness in his future. However, Montero did strike out 114 batters in his 119 innings, although that rate was tempered by his 67 walks.
Those struggles continued into the Spring. Montero had posted a 0-2 record, allowing 13 runs (nine earned) on 12 hits and six walks in his nine innings of work. He did strike out ten batters, but given his inability to get batters out, it would not have been much of a surprise had he been released.
Of course, this injury sheds some light as to why Montero may have struggled. Although there were no indications of injury last season, one has to wonder how long he had been pitching with that pain. If the tear occurred last season, or even earlier in the Spring, those struggles make even more sense.
The New York Mets pitching depth has taken another hit, as Rafael Montero is likely out for the year with a torn UCL. If it wasn’t for bad luck, the Mets pitching staff would not have any at all.