The Mets have designated Frankie Montas for assignment, according to reports.
The Mets signed Montas last offseason to a two-year, $34 million contract in order to bolster the rotation, but his stint in Queens did not play out how he or the Mets envisioned. After his first bullpen of spring training back in February, Montas suffered a high grade lat strain that ended up costing him the first three months of the season. He made his season debut on June 24 but struggled to the tune of a 6.68 ERA in seven
starts. He lost his rotation spot and made two relief appearances before being shut down yet again with what turned out to be a UCL tear requiring Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in August. Montas’ 2025 season ended with a 3-2 record and a 6.28 ERA in 38 2/3 innings of work.
Montas’ contract included an opt-out after 2025, which he did not exercise, given his injury-riddled season and opportunity to rehab in 2026. However, that rehab will not happen with the Mets.
The timing of this roster move is notable, as 6:00pm this evening is the deadline for teams to set 40-man rosters and eligible players left off their teams’ rosters will be subject to the Rule 5 draft. Though Montas would spend the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list if he stayed with the Mets and thus not taking up a spot on the 40-man roster, he would not be able to be placed on the 60-day IL until Opening Day. The Mets cutting Montas, who will not play this season, frees up a spot on their 40-man roster to protect players from the Rule 5 draft, such as Nick Morabito, who the Mets plan to add to the roster ahead of tonight’s deadline. More roster moves by the Mets between now and 6:00pm tonight are potentially forthcoming, but in the meantime Frankie Montas’ stint as a New York Met has come to an unceremonious end.
