Frankie Montas Starting Rehab Assignment, Paul Blackburn Nearing Return

The New York Mets are one step closer to getting two of their pitchers back on the major league roster.

Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Frankie Montas is set to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Saturday, while Paul Blackburn is scheduled to make one more rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Montas has yet to make his Mets debut after signing a two-year, $34 million deal with the club last offseason, which includes a player option for 2026. The right-hander went down with a right lat strain during spring training. Initially on the 15-day injured list, the Mets transferred him to the 60-day IL earlier this month.

He will begin the next phase of his recovery and journey back to the mound on Saturday when Brooklyn takes on the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, during which he’ll throw two innings and anywhere from 30 to 35 pitches. First pitch of that game is scheduled for 4:05 pm EDT.

Blackburn, like Montas, has yet to pitch in a big league game this year. He has made six rehab appearances thus far as he recovers from right knee inflammation. Should all go well, he could rejoin the Mets next week.

Blackburn’s last outing was the best of his rehab starts, as he threw seven scoreless innings and gave up just one hit while walking two and striking out six. He threw 87 pitches (54 for strikes) on the day.

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