The New York Mets designated pitcher Frankie Montas for assignment on Tuesday, ending his short tenure with the team after just nine appearances. Montas, who underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2025 season, will miss all of 2026 despite exercising his $17 million player option. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for prospect Nick Morabito.
Frankie Montas' time with the New York Mets lasted only nine appearances, marked by injuries and underwhelming performance. Signed last winter to a two-year, $34 million contract to bolster the rotation alongside Clay Holmes and Griffin Canning, the 32-year-old right-hander faced setbacks from the start. He tore his right lat muscle during Spring Training and did not return until June 24.
In seven starts after his return, Montas posted a 6.68 ERA, prompting the Mets to shift him to the bullpen for two appearances. There, he suffered a UCL tear in his right elbow, leading to Tommy John surgery at the end of the regular season. Reports vary slightly on his overall Mets stats, with one account noting a 3-2 record and 6.28 ERA across all nine outings.
The designation for assignment, reported by MLB sources and confirmed via a tweet from national reporter Michael Marino on November 18, 2025, is largely procedural. Montas had already opted into his 2026 contract, and the Mets will pay the $17 million regardless. However, he will no longer rehab with the organization at Citi Field or their Spring Training complex.
This transaction opened a spot on the 40-man roster, allowing the Mets to select outfielder and No. 16 prospect Nick Morabito. Coming off a 2025 season where they finished 83-79, second in the NL East but missing the playoffs for the seventh time in nine years, the Mets ranked in the bottom half of MLB with a 4.03 team ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Manager Carlos Mendoza, in his second year after leading the team to the 2024 NLCS, now faces questions about the pitching staff heading into 2026.
Montas, who has played for six teams over 10 big league seasons with a career 47-48 record and 4.20 ERA, previously went 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA split between the Reds and Brewers in 2024.