Mets to call up pitching prospect Montero
Right-hander rejoins big leagues after making six starts earlier this season
CINCINNATI -- The Mets announced after Friday's 14-5 win over the Reds at Great American Ball Park that 23-year-old right-hander Rafael Montero, the team's No. 6 prospect on MLB.com, will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas and join the club in Cincinnati on Saturday.
Montero made his Major League debut with the Mets on May 14 against the Yankees at Citi Field, going six innings and allowing three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out three in a 4-0 loss. He made seven appearances (six starts) before being optioned on Aug. 23 to make room for right-hander Jacob deGrom's return to the active roster following a stint on the disabled list.
Montero went 0-3 with a 5.23 ERA, walking 16 and striking out 28 in 32 2/3 innings.
The Mets may expand to a six-man rotation to accommodate Montero so they can get a look at the right-hander over the remainder of the season. Since signing with New York out of the Dominican Republic in 2011, Montero advanced through the Mets' farm system rapidly, going from Rookie-level to Triple-A in two years.
In 16 starts with Las Vegas this season, Montero went 6-4 with a 3.60 ERA. He had 80 strikeouts and 34 walks in 80 innings pitched.