New York Mets make major Frankie Montas announcement

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza made a major Frankie Montas announcement to reporters on Tuesday.

Jul 5, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) reacts during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Changes are coming in Queens.

The New York Mets are moving struggling starter Frankie Montas to the bullpen, as manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Tuesday.

Carlos Mendoza says that Frankie Montas will be moving to the bullpen.

Montas' spot in the rotation will come up on Saturday and Mendoza says "it's possible" someone will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to make the start. pic.twitter.com/XMzJUYGNct

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 12, 2025

Montas has gotten off to an abysmal beginning to his Mets tenure, posting a 6.38 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP and .296 opposing batting average in 36.2 innings (seven starts, eight appearances).

The Mets signed Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal (second year player option) in the offseason, but the contract has not panned out to say the least. Due to a right lat strain, Montas did not make his season debut until June 24 and has struggled mightily ever since.

As a result, the Mets used Reed Garrett as an opener and piggybacked Montas behind him to give bulk innings over the weekend. Now, the Mets are officially replacing Montas in the starting rotation.

The Mets have yet to decide on who will be taking Montas' spot in the rotation, but top prospects Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat are in the conversation. Mendoza also added that whoever replaces Montas will get an extended look.

"Whoever comes up here, if it's one of the prospects, the plan is for giving him a good look here."

Carlos Mendoza talks about the Mets' top pitching prospects being in the conversation for the rotation spot being vacated by Frankie Montas' move to the bullpen: pic.twitter.com/2Cnmiy9oVS

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 12, 2025

Veteran starter Paul Blackburn will make one more rehab start on Wednesday, however, he is not an option to start for the Mets on Saturday when Montas' turn comes up.

McLean and Sproat

Mar 15, 2024; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

So who has the edge to get called up to start on Saturday?

According to Mike Puma of The New York Post, McLean is currently ahead of Sproat in terms of being considered for a call-up.

McLean and Sproat clearly in the conversation for Saturday. Was told recently that McLean is ahead of Sproat.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) August 12, 2025

Now, that doesn't necessarily mean it will be McLean over Sproat, but let's dive into the numbers.

McLean, 24, has gone 8-5 with a 2.45 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and 127 strikeouts in 113.2 innings between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse this season.

Since joining the Syracuse Mets, the right-hander holds a 5-4 record, 2.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 16 appearances (13 starts). McLean is the Mets' No. 3 ranked prospect and their top ranked pitching prospect in their farm system, per MLB Pipeline.

As for Sproat, the righty initially struggled in Triple-A this year, but has bounced back to dominate as of late.

Sproat, 24, is fresh off winning the International League Pitcher of the Month Award for July after allowing just two earned runs in a total of 27 innings (five starts).

Overall, Sproat, the Mets' No. 5 ranked prospect, has a 7-5 record and 4.10 ERA with 86 strikeouts across 22 starts in Triple-A this season.