PORT ST. LUCIE — Monday was supposed to be a uniformly happy occasion in Mets camp, a chance on the first full-squad workout day to luxuriate in the return of the beloved Polar Bear, who’s back to enhance arguably the majors’ best lineup. But spring training can throw some curveballs at you, and this was an unwanted one.
Frankie Montas, who joined the Mets for $34 million over two years (plus the requisite opt-out, naturally), is out for an extended period with what they are calling a high-grade lat strain. This is at least medium-grade bad news, as they are suggesting he’ll be out three months, or more.
Naturally, Mets people talked up their rotation depth, and there certainly are a lot of pitchers in camp (38 at last count). But let’s face it: The rotation easily ranked as the club’s biggest question mark heading down here, and they need to do something to bolster things now.
Star Padres right-hander Dylan Cease would be a home run, of course. So would Luis Castillo. But a trade for either would take at least two top prospects and an aligning of the stars, neither of which seems especially likely at the moment.
