Frankie Montas open to any Mets pitching role as rehab struggles mount

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.It is possible that Frankie Montas, after experiencing unfamiliar results, will experience an unfamiliar role.Sporting a 13.17 ERA after five rehab starts, Montas will at least be considered for a relief job when he is activated.

He will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse, and “we have a decision after that,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.Montas himself — a starter for the vast majority of a career that began in 2015 — suggested that if the Mets decide he belongs in the bullpen, he would pitch out of the bullpen.It is also possible that if the Mets are still teeming with arms capable of length, they get creative and, say, have Montas ready to go to piggyback off of a three- or four-inning Paul Blackburn start.“Whatever they tell me to do, that’s what I’m going to do,” Montas said before the Mets were scheduled to play the Rays on Saturday at Citi Field.“I just want to help.”For Montas to help in any way, he would have to figure out what has plagued him with High-A Brooklyn and Syracuse.

A valuable right arm to whom the Mets committed $34 million over two years this winter has allowed 20 runs in 13 ²/₃ minor league innings, including an eight-run, five-out blowup against a Yankees affiliate on Friday.Montas said he is still sorting through mechanical issues and finding his proper arm slot.He said he was not overly concerned by the poor results because the right-hander, sidelined since mid-February with a high-grade lat strain, said he physically feels well.“This rehab process was actually pretty good.They did an amazing job with my lat,” Montas said.

“I would say this is probably, I would say the strongest my shoulder and arm has felt in a while.”Montas’ 30-day clock expires after June 22, leaving room for one final rehab start unless he is brought back on shorter rest with Syracuse t...