Rafael Montero has been his own worst enemy so far in his first two starts since returning to the Mets. Montero struggled with his command yet again in Tuesday’s 5-3 victory over Cincinnati.
Montero went just 4.1 innings in the game while allowing three runs on three hits and striking out four. His biggest problem was walking four batters on the night. Now in just 9.1 innings in his previous two starts, he has walked 10 batters. Montero has yet to have a decision on the season and sports a 4.63 ERA with a WHIP of 1.80 in 11.2 total innings pitched.
“I think it’s mechanical stuff usually which leads to that,” Montero said. (NY Post)
He seems to live dangerously in almost every inning he pitches as you just wait for the imminent big hit by the opposition. The continuation of putting runners on base inning after inning has hurt him so far in his return to the big league club. Manager, Terry Collins simply stated what we all see as far as Montero’s struggles go.
“[Montero] has got to stop walking guys,” Collins said. “That is what puts him in trouble.”
It has yet to be announced if Montero will make his next start. The Mets have some options with Gabriel Ynoa and Logan Verrett being the most likely candidates to replace him if Collins opts to not let Montero go another start. The once prized pitching prospect has shown that he still has some work to do to get back to the pitcher he once was believed to be.
