The Mets' starting rotation was already one of their biggest question marks heading into this season, and they've already suffered a big blow.
RHP Frankie Montas has been shut down for 6-to-8 weeks due to a high-grade lat strain.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Montas felt some soreness following his first side-session in camp last weekend, and after being evaluated by team trainers the next day they decided to have him undergo imaging, which unfortunately confirmed the worst.
The veteran now faces a long road to recovery, and he's headed to New York to receive a PRP injection.
With Montas sidelined, the Mets will now have to lean on two of Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill, and Griffin Canning to step up and pitch alongside Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson as part of their six-man rotation.
Jose Butto will not be stretched out to join this group, as Mendoza says he'll remain a reliever.
Top prospect Brandon Sproat could eventually work his way into the mix, but he is expected to begin the year back with Triple-A Syracuse to continue his development after he struggled there following his late-season promotion.
While it'll be a tall-task for this group early on, Mendoza remains confident they have the pieces to get the job done.
"There's a reason why they are here," Mendoza said. "We've been talking about it all offseason. We know in order to get through 162+ we're going to need 8-to-10 guys, and here we are. It's nothing new for us, guys will step, guys will get opportunities. We feel good with the options we have."