In a shocking turn of events for the New York Mets, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that pitcher Frankie Montas is facing a "pretty significant" UCL injury, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The Mets officially placed Montas on the 15-day injured list retroactively starting from August 22 due to his troubling right elbow issue. Succeeding him on the active roster is right-hander Huascar Brazoban, called up from Triple-A.

A Dispelling Inaugural Season in Queens

This injury is yet another chapter in what has been a disastrous first season for Montas with the Mets. After signing a hefty $34 million deal in the offseason, he has only managed to pitch 38 2/3 innings. His year kicked off poorly with a lat strain during Spring Training, keeping him off the mound until late June.

Underwhelming Performance Leads to Bullpen Shift

Despite a promising start—delivering five scoreless innings in his debut—Montas fell apart in his subsequent outings, amassing a staggering 7.85 ERA across six starts. He allowed seven home runs and struck out just 18.2% of batters faced, prompting his shift to the bullpen earlier this month, where he has continued to struggle.

What’s Next for Montas?

Currently, Montas's statistics reflect a disappointing 6.28 ERA and a 5.31 FIP. Fans are left speculating about the likelihood of Tommy John surgery, which would extend his recovery to possibly the entirety of 2026. Alternatively, some pitchers have successfully rehabilitated partial UCL tears, though even that can lead to significant downtime.

The Mets have yet to clarify Montas's prognosis, leaving uncertainty around his return timeline. However, considering his recent performance, the team may not feel the sting of his absence as severely as one might expect.

Next Steps for the Mets' Rotation

With Montas out, pitchers like Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, and David Peterson will continue to bolster the rotation, accompanied by emerging talent Nolan McLean. The minor leagues also offer backup options like Brandon Waddell and Justin Hagenman.

Brazoban Steps Up as Long Reliever

In the aftermath of Montas's injury, Brazoban is stepping into a long relief role. Previously a part of the Miami roster, he has proven effective, boasting a 3.83 ERA and 4.14 FIP over 51 2/3 innings this season across 41 relief appearances.

The Mets now face the challenge of navigating the remainder of the season without Montas, adapting their strategy to ensure team performance through this setback.