Mets sign former Cincinnati Reds’ starter to minor league deal

The New York Mets added some pitching depth on Wednesday in the wake of the injury to starter Frankie Montas.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Connor Overton (71) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, April 3, 2023, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Chicago Cubs At Cincinnati Reds April 3 0215 | Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

It’s not the pitcher signing that most were looking for, but the New York Mets have added a starter.

On Wednesday, the Mets announced that they signed former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Connor Overton to a minor league deal. Overton, 31, missed most of the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He suited up in just 36.2 innings of relief for three minor league affiliates in the Cincinnati organization, posting a 7.85 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

The Mets have signed right-handed pitcher Connor Overton to a minor league deal.

Overton had a 4.85 ERA in 59 MLB innings from 2021-2023. He has experience as SP/RP.

The 31-year-old spent the 2024 season pitching for three minor league affiliates in the Reds organization.

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) February 19, 2025

Overton was originally drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 15th round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft. During his three-year professional career, The right-hander has bounced around numerous organizations, making brief stints with the Marlins, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays. A majority of Overton’s action has been in the minor leagues.

It was an all-too-familiar scene at Mets’ training camp on Tuesday when it was announced that offseason acquisition Frankie Montas would miss multiple months with a lat injury. The loss of Montas has been seen as a significant blow to a starting rotation that lacks a true ace. The injury is also the fourth consecutive Spring Training where the Mets have lost a starting pitcher; last year, it was Kodai Senga who went down with a shoulder injury to his throwing arm.

Read More: New York Mets' Frankie Montas gives promising injury update

Pat Ragazzo of Mets On SI reported earlier on Wednesday that the Mets and former starter Jose Quintana have mutual interest in a reunion. This would be the easiest short-term fix for New York, given Quintana’s familiarity with the team and the need for another left-handed arm in the rotation.

More: Mets and Quintana have been talking so the interest is certainly mutual here https://t.co/8SFg6GhqUo

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) February 19, 2025

As for Overton, his signing will likely have little impact on the current rotation, but he could provide some nice midseason depth either as a starter or in the bullpen. He last pitched at the Arizona Complex League in July, starting in four games and posting a 1-1 record with a respectable 3.86 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.