New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza updated reporters at Citi Field on Wednesday regarding the progress of pitchers Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea.
Mendoza stated that Montas is scheduled to make his fifth rehab start on Friday with Triple-A Syracuse. However, that may not be his final outing, as the Mets are considering using the full 30-day rehab window to gradually build up his stamina.
Montas has struggled during his rehab appearances between Syracuse and High-A Brooklyn, recording a 9.00 ERA over 12 innings in four starts. In his most recent appearance, he allowed three runs on four hits in 3.2 innings with Syracuse.
Despite the rough numbers, Mendoza said pitching coach Jeremy Hefner has been working with Montas on his mechanics, and the team is not overly worried about the results. Montas is still adjusting to live competition after being sidelined with a lat injury.
“This is essentially his spring training while facing hitters already in midseason form,” Mendoza explained. “So we’re not reading too much into the results. We probably need to help him more with game preparation, but overall we’re not concerned right now.”
Regarding Manaea, who is recovering from an oblique strain, Mendoza shared that the left-hander will make his third rehab appearance on Sunday, though the location has yet to be determined.
Manaea’s most recent outing came Tuesday with High-A Brooklyn, where he threw 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out four and giving up one hit, one walk, and one hit batsman on 46 pitches. His first rehab start didn’t go as well, allowing four runs (three earned) in just 1.2 innings.
With the Mets’ rotation performing at a high level, the return of Montas and Manaea will present the team with some challenging decisions—though the depth will only enhance an already strong pitching staff.
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