PORT ST. LUCIE — The clock ticking on Rafael Montero’s Mets career has been extended. But in the worst possible way.
The 27-year-old right-hander, who has been fighting for a roster spot with a most unimpressive spring, suffered a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and likely will need Tommy John surgery, the Mets announced Thursday. Montero, who conceivably faced his release from the team, experienced pain Tuesday pitching against St. Louis before the injury was uncovered.
“That’s the first time we heard about it. It’s not great for the kid. I feel bad for him, but it’s something that happens when you pitch,” manager Mickey Callaway said before the Mets faced the Nationals here Thursday. “He’s got a long road ahead of him to recover, and we’ll be trying to take care of him the best we can.”
Well, at least the team has practice with such injuries. Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler all have undergone Tommy John surgery. Additionally, Jason Vargas, currently down with a glove hand fracture, had a torn UCL in his Kansas City days, while Seth Lugo has sustained a partial UCL tear.
Montero, who carries a 6-16 career record with a 5.38 ERA over the past four seasons with the Mets, labored throughout the spring. After seven appearances covering nine innings, his ERA sat at a rather gruesome 9.00. He brought 10 strikeouts, six walks and a boatload of frustration to the organization.
“At times, he showed really good stuff. At times, I thought he lacked some conviction,” Callaway said. “He’s got some pitch-ability, he’s got some value to an organization. It’s a shame he’s going to be out for a year-plus.”
What Montero does not have are any remaining minor league options, so the Mets would have to designate him for assignment if he did not make the 25-man roster. But Montero’s move to the disabled list eliminates the need for that move.
Callaway said Montero, who was competing for one of the seven or eight bullpen jobs, gave no prior indication he was feeling any discomfort in the joint until after Tuesday’s appearance.
“It was really the first time he said [anything],” Callaway said. “I’m sure if he was feeling symptoms before that, it was affecting what he can do. That’s one of the unfortunate things about the position he was in. Sometimes you don’t say things because you’re trying to make a team and pitchers pitch through things a lot, and identifying what you can pitch through and what you can’t is important. It’s just a bad situation.”
