The New York Mets demoted prospect pitcher Rafael Montero on Friday to make room for infielder Danny Muno, but that might not be the last we see of the right-hander.
According to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork, the transaction was made to balance the team's bench and bullpen after third baseman David Wright hit the disabled list earlier this week with a hamstring injury. Montero was coming out of the bullpen for New York and is currently 0-1 with a 4.15 Era and 1.846 WHIP in four games.
It looks like he'll be returning soon in a different role with the Mets.
Manager Terry Collins told Rubin that Rafael Montero's demotion to the minor leagues will only last 10 days.
"The Mets plan to briefly stretch Montero out at Triple-A Las Vegas, then bring him back for a spot start on April 28 against the Miami Marlins. The objective is to give the other starting pitchers -- particularly Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom -- an extra day of rest during a period in which the Mets play 13 games in 13 days."
New York's fifth starter, Dillon Gee, may be in danger of losing his job in the rotation once Montero comes back to make that spot start because the veteran is 0-1 with a 7.59 ERA and 1.406 WHIP in his first two starts this season. Rubin suggests "it is at least conceivable the Mets bump Gee to allow Montero to remain in the rotation."
If Gee continues to struggle in his next two starts, which will likely come against the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees, he could certainly lose his job as the No. 5 starter because he was already competing for that post during spring training. Collins opted to go with Gee in the rotation and Montero in the bullpen as spring training came to a close.
"... the implication is clear Montero could be in position to take Dillon Gee's job," writes Mike Puma of the New York Post.
"We'll make decisions as we go," Collins told him.
