Dominican Republican pitcher Rafel Montero gets the last spot on the New York Mets roster after Seth Lugo goes on the disabled list.
The question of who will get the final spot in the New York Mets bullpen has now been answered. It’s Rafael Montero.
Montero had been competing with right-hander Seth Lugo for the final spot in the bullpen. Lugo will start the season on the disabled list due to arm fatigue, according to Marc Carig of Newsday. The right-hander had an MRI on Saturday and it revealed that there is no structural damage in his right arm.
The Mets were 7-1 last season when the right-hander filled in as a starting pitcher. He had a 2.65 ERA in nine relief appearances and averaged 8.5 strikeouts. In his final spring training start, Lugo struggled as he allowed four runs and three home runs.
Montero has been with the Mets since 2011. He has pitched in over 100 minor league games, but has appeared in only 24 major league games in the last three seasons. The pitcher from the Dominican Republic had a 1.77 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP and 23 strikeouts this spring, according to SNY.
“He’s throwing the ball very well, but we haven’t finalized the roster,” Mets manager Terry Collins said on Monday. “He throws strikes. We always knew he had the command but he kind of pitched to the edge in the big leagues. Now he’s using the plate and his stuff is playing.”
Montero has been very successful as a starter in the majors. However he has been successful coming out of the bullpen, so him getting the final spot in the bullpen is a good move.
As far as the rest of the opening day roster is concerned, very few surprises popped up. Zack Wheeler claimed the fourth rotation slot while Michael Conforto did, indeed, claim a spot on the bench.