Montero fans four in rehab outing

WASHINGTON -- Rafael Montero, who spent most of the season's first half in injury limbo due to inflammation in his right rotator cuff, threw three shutout innings on Monday in his second Minor League rehab start for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Mets. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

On the disabled list since April 29, Montero could become a spot-start option for the Mets as they look to limit the innings of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard. The organization initially hoped to do that by using a six-man rotation throughout July and August, but Steven Matz's shoulder injury disrupted those plans.

The Mets' sixth-ranked prospect a year ago, Montero has a 4.14 ERA over 15 career big league outings, nine of them starts, with more than a strikeout per inning.

• To manager Terry Collins' knowledge, David Wright still had not been cleared for full baseball activities as of Monday afternoon. Wright typically meets with back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins each Monday in California to determine the next steps in his rehab from spinal stenosis. Once he is cleared, he should still need several weeks of rehab time before rejoining the Mets.