'We believe in the player': Montas returning to Mets' rotation

ATLANTA -- In the end, lacking other options, the Mets decided to add Frankie Montas to their rotation.

Montas is likely to come off the injured list on June 23, when his 30-day rehab clock expires, and join the rotation at some point early that week. He’ll slot in either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday against the Braves, depending on how the Mets choose to rejigger their starting five.

“Look, we need starters here,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We signed him to be a starter for this team, and we’re going to give him a chance.”

Over the winter, the Mets signed Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract with the expectation that he would open the season in the rotation. But he strained his right lat muscle early in Spring Training and has been rehabbing ever since.

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Although Montas has been healthy for weeks now, positive results never came during a six-start Minor League rehab assignment. He produced a 12.05 ERA over that stretch, with eight home runs in four Triple-A outings. Those numbers gave the Mets pause as they discussed what to do with him.

“I’m not going to lie, he got hit. He got hit around,” Mendoza said. “But we’ve seen it before where guys in Spring Training struggle, and they get hit around, and once you put them in a big league game under the lights and you game plan and you make adjustments, they flip the switch. He’s had success before at this level. So hopefully that’s the case here.”

Ultimately, the state of New York’s rotation forced a decision. Over the past week-plus, the Mets lost both Kodai Senga (right hamstring strain) and Tylor Megill (right elbow strain) to the injured list. Most of their starters at Triple-A Syracuse are struggling, with the exception of fifth-ranked Nolan McLean, an untested prospect whom team officials are unwilling to promote just yet. Sean Manaea (right oblique strain) likely won’t be ready until the first week of July.

The Mets are stretched thin enough that they’re leaning toward giving depth starter Justin Hagenman the ball for their series opener in Philadelphia on Friday. Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn will also continue to receive starts despite their recent struggles.

Given all that context, Montas, who has a 4.09 ERA over nine big league seasons, profiles as arguably their best option despite his Minor League issues.

“We believe in the player,” Mendoza said, “and we’re going to give him the chance.”

Kranick ailing: The Mets placed reliever Max Kranick on the injured list on Thursday with a right elbow strain. Kranick flew to New York for an MRI, the results of which the Mets were waiting to see as of Thursday afternoon. But before leaving, Kranick expressed optimism that this is a minor injury.

To replace Kranick, the Mets recalled Dedniel Núñez from Triple-A Syracuse. They also officially recalled Hagenman and optioned Ty Adcock.

A revelation early this season out of the bullpen, Kranick has a 3.65 ERA over 37 innings.