ATLANTA – The New York Mets’ rotation, depleted by injuries, could see right-handed pitcher Justin Hagenman make his first start of the season on Friday in Philadelphia. Also, Frankie Montas’ debut with the Mets could be near. On Thursday, the Mets called up Hagenman and right-handed reliever Dedniel Núñez from Triple-A Syracuse and sent Ty Adcock to Syracuse. Right-hander Max Kranick was also placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain. Hagenman, who allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings in his only appearance with the Mets this season, was with the team for Thursday night’s game in Atlanta. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Hagenman could pitch on Friday, either as a starter or as a long reliever behind a starter. Mendoza said that Montas, who was placed on the injured list on March 24 with a right shoulder strain, could also be ready to join the rotation despite allowing eight home runs and recording an ERA of 12.05 in six rehab games in the minor leagues. Montas allowed 30 hits in 18 2/3 innings in his eventful rehab outings.
Montas, 32, signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Mets in December. Montas missed most of the 2023 season due to shoulder surgery. He went 3-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 11 starts for Milwaukee in 2024. The Mets’ rotation needs help. Right-hander Tylor Megill was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with a sprain in his right elbow and will miss at least a month. Last week, Kodai Senga was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strain in his right hamstring. Mendoza said Kranick, who had an ERA of 3.65, returned to New York on Thursday for an MRI after feeling continued discomfort in his elbow on Wednesday when he played catch and then tried to throw from the mound. Kranick, 27 years old, was called up from Syracuse on June 13. The Mets came into Thursday night’s game on a five-game losing streak. Mendoza said he was encouraged by the progress of third baseman Brett Baty, who missed the first two games of the series with a groin injury.“I’m not going to lie, they hit him,” Mendoza said about Montas. “They hit him a lot, you know? But look, we’ve seen it before where guys struggle in spring training and they get hit a lot. And once you put it in a big league game under the lights and your game plan, and you make adjustments and flip the switch. He’s had success before at this level.”
Carlos Mendoza
