This offseason, the New York Mets signed Jose Quintana to a two-year, $26 million contract. Quintana figured to be a vital part of New York’s rotation as they make a World Series push in 2023. Now, the Mets will be without Quintana for the foreseeable future and possibly the first half of the season.
The left-hander is expected to be shut down from throwing for at least three months, according to Mike Puma of the NY Post. Last week, Quintana was diagnosed with a stress fracture on the fifth rib of his left side and was forced to withdraw from participating in the World Baseball Classic.
Sticking by that timetable, the earliest Quintana would begin throwing again is in mid-June, according to Puma. This means a return to the Mets’ rotation for the 34-year-old veteran likely won’t take place until around the All-Star break at the earliest.
Quintana was one of the best starting pitchers in the National League last season. He spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals and finished 2022 with a career-best 2.93 ERA in 165.2 innings pitched, striking out 137 batters in 32 starts.
Fortunately for New York, the team is adept with pitching depth and Quintana will likely be replaced in the rotation by either David Peterson or Tylor Megill. We’ll have to see if Quintana can give the Mets rotation a second-half boost.
[NY Post]
