Mets right-hander Frankie Montas had another rough outing on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, with manager Carlos Mendozanon-committal after the game as to whether or not Montas would make his next start.

Speaking on Monday afternoon, Mendoza explained that Montas will indeed pitch on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, but his role is still to be determined, as the Mets could potentially opt to use an opener in front of the veteran.

“We’re having those discussions here. He is going to pitch against the Brewers,” Mendoza explained. “So, [Kodai] Senga is going to go Friday after the off day, but because we have an off day in between that series, we could get creative. 

“So, maybe an opener in front of him, but as of right now, on Saturday, he’s going to play a part in that game. Depending on how we get through on Friday, we’ll see, but like I said, on Saturday he’s pitching.”

Mendoza spoke with Montas about that decision, saying that Montas will prepare as if he’s making the start, whether or not an opener is used.

“He’s willing to do whatever it takes,” Mendoza said.

After missing the bulk of the first half of the season due to a lat strain suffered in spring training, Montas has struggled since returning to the mound. In seven starts, the veteran has pitched to a 6.68 ERA and a 1.545 WHIP. He’s allowed 4+ earned runs in four of those starts, and is yet to go 6.0 innings in any outing.

With Montas’ issues front and center, there’s been plenty of chatter about whether the Mets should promote one of their top pitching prospects from Triple-A Syracuse, namely Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean.

Asked on Monday if he’s been watching those two any more closely of late, Mendoza said he’s always keeping an eye on the minor leaguers, though he did note that both players are seemingly ready, or at least very close to being ready, to pitch in the majors.

“I’ve been watching those guys for a long time,” said Mendoza. “Every time they pitch, I read the reports, I watch some of the outings, a couple innings, but nothing changes as far as my routine goes. … I know they’ve been pretty good down there, and that’s all they need to do. Continue to do what they’ve been doing.”

“They continue to put themselves in a position where, like, ‘Alright, we’re going to have that conversation.’ They’re knocking at the door. … We like where they’re at in terms of their development.”

Paul Blackburn Update

Elsewhere on the rotation front, the plan is for Paul Blackburn to make one more rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. After that, the Mets will have a decision to make on how to use the veteran right-hander. 

Blackburn has been on the IL since early July with a right shoulder impingement. In his first three outings for Syracuse, Blackburn has allowed four runs on 14 hits with 14 strikeouts to four walks in 16.2 innings

Seeking to add potential starting pitching depth, the New York Yankees have reportedly signed Kenta Maeda to a minor-league contract. 

The team announced the signing Monday evening. Maeda will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Earlier, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Maeda and the Yankees were in discussions on a possible deal. Independent journalist Yuki Yamada followed with a report that the two sides had agreed to a contract.

Maeda, 37, was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers in May after seven appearances in which he compiled a 7.86 ERA with eight strikeouts in eight innings. The right-hander signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Tigers before the 2024 season. He was demoted to the Detroit bullpen in 2024 while accumulating a 6.09 ERA and 3-7 record.

After being DFA’d by the Tigers, Maeda signed with the Chicago Cubs and was pitching for their Triple-A Iowa affiliate. He was released by the Cubs this past weekend, according to MLB.com. In 12 starts with Iowa, Maeda registered a 6.12 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. 

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Maeda’s signing with New York comes after the Yankees released veteran Marcus Stroman last week after he posted a 6.23 ERA in nine starts. The team added relievers David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird (along with utilityman José Caballero) before Thursday’s MLB trade deadline but did not acquire a starting pitcher. 

The Yankees were moving forward with a starting rotation of Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Luis Gil, with rookies Will Warren and Cam Schlittler at the back end. However, Gil looked very much like a work in progress on Sunday in his first start of the season after returning from a lat strain. Facing the Miami Marlins, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year gave up five runs on five hits and four walks.

That performance might have compelled the Yankees to bring in some additional depth as Gil essentially goes through a spring training type of preparation in August. 

Maeda is in his ninth MLB season after pitching nine years for Hiroshima in the Japan Central League. He pitched four seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers before being traded to the Minnesota Twins, with whom he finished second in AL Cy Young voting during the 2020 COVID-shortened season. 

In his career, Maeda has a 4.20 ERA, averaging 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings, with a 68-56 record.

Seeking to add potential starting pitching depth, the New York Yankees have reportedly signed Kenta Maeda to a minor-league contract. 

The team announced the signing Monday evening. Maeda will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Earlier, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Maeda and the Yankees were in discussions on a possible deal. Independent journalist Yuki Yamada followed with a report that the two sides had agreed to a contract.

Maeda, 37, was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers in May after seven appearances in which he compiled a 7.86 ERA with eight strikeouts in eight innings. The right-hander signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Tigers before the 2024 season. He was demoted to the Detroit bullpen in 2024 while accumulating a 6.09 ERA and 3-7 record.

After being DFA’d by the Tigers, Maeda signed with the Chicago Cubs and was pitching for their Triple-A Iowa affiliate. He was released by the Cubs this past weekend, according to MLB.com. In 12 starts with Iowa, Maeda registered a 6.12 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. 

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] 

Maeda’s signing with New York comes after the Yankees released veteran Marcus Stroman last week after he posted a 6.23 ERA in nine starts. The team added relievers David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird (along with utilityman José Caballero) before Thursday’s MLB trade deadline but did not acquire a starting pitcher. 

The Yankees were moving forward with a starting rotation of Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Luis Gil, with rookies Will Warren and Cam Schlittler at the back end. However, Gil looked very much like a work in progress on Sunday in his first start of the season after returning from a lat strain. Facing the Miami Marlins, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year gave up five runs on five hits and four walks.

That performance might have compelled the Yankees to bring in some additional depth as Gil essentially goes through a spring training type of preparation in August. 

Maeda is in his ninth MLB season after pitching nine years for Hiroshima in the Japan Central League. He pitched four seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers before being traded to the Minnesota Twins, with whom he finished second in AL Cy Young voting during the 2020 COVID-shortened season. 

In his career, Maeda has a 4.20 ERA, averaging 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings, with a 68-56 record.