Rafael Montero will soon get a chance to prove himself in a more prominent role.
The Mets optioned the rookie pitcher to Triple-A Las Vegas before Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Marlins, technically to clear roster space for infielder Danny Muno. Manager Terry Collins indicated, however, there is a larger plan involving Montero.
That plan calls for the 24-year-old Montero to get stretched out at Las Vegas and make a spot start for the Mets in Miami on April 28 as part of a six-man rotation. Collins said the six-man rotation wouldn’t go beyond that start — the idea is to give everybody an extra day of rest — but the implication is clear Montero could be in position to take Dillon Gee’s job.
“We’ll make decisions as we go,” Collins said.
Gee had a second straight subpar start on Thursday, when he allowed four earned runs over 5 ²/₃ innings against the Marlins. The right-hander is 0-1 with a 7.59 ERA in a rotation that has received strong performances from Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Jon Niese and Friday’s starter, Bartolo Colon.
Montero had mixed results working from the bullpen before his demotion. Most notably, the organization wants him to mix up his pitches and avoid throwing all fastballs.
“In order to pitch at this level you have to use all your pitches, and there is nothing wrong with his fastball,” Collins said. “His fastball has got great life to it, we all understand that, but at this level you’ve got to use everything you got, all your weapons, and I think in the relief role he is uncomfortable doing that.”
Collins had spoken in spring training about the possibility of inserting a sixth starter at some point for one turn through the rotation to get extra rest for his pitchers, particularly Harvey, who spent last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Muno made his major league debut in a pinch-hitting appearance in the seventh inning and delivered a single. The rookie arrived at Citi Field about 90 minutes before Friday’s first pitch and said he was happy to have his parents in attendance, including his mother, Anne, who recently suffered a stroke.
Bartolo Colon recorded his 100th career home victory, joining Mark Buehrle (114) and Tim Hudson (113) as the only active pitchers to have reached that plateau. Nine of those home wins have come at Citi Field for Colon.
