José 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.
After enjoying a career renaissance in the NL Central, Quinatna was a key rotation acquisition for the New York Mets this offseason. The Mets signed Quintana to a two-year, $26 million contract in December, and he figured to be a vital part of New York’s rotation as they make a World Series push in 2023.
But as the Mets move their spring training schedule and look to get ready for the season, they’ll be without Quintana for a while.
The club announced on Monday that Quintana suffered a small stress fracture in his fifth rib on his left side. He recently withdrew from the World Baseball Classic after leaving Sunday’s spring training outing with side tightness. Now, the Mets have a clearer picture of the extent of his injury, but there is currently no timetable for a return, as Quintana will travel to New York to undergo further imaging.
We’ll have to see how long Quintana’s sidelined, but between David Peterson, Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi, the Mets currently have the rotation depth to deal with the 34-year-old veteran’s likely extended absence.
[ESPN]
