The New York Mets have received some concerning news about their starting pitcher, José Quintana. According to recent reports, the lefty is set to be shut down for three months due to a stress fracture in his left shoulder.
It is unclear when or how Quintana suffered the injury, but it appears to have been present for some time. The Mets were hoping he would be able to pitch through the discomfort, but medical tests have shown that the injury requires more extensive treatment.
The news comes as a significant blow to the Mets, who were counting on Quintana to stabilize their starting rotation. The 32-year-old signed a minor league contract with the team in February after spending four seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He impressed in spring training, earning a spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster.
Despite the injury setback, the Mets have not given up on Quintana. The team is reportedly planning to rehab him back to full health, with the hope that he can contribute later in the season. However, it remains to be seen how effective the veteran will be after such a prolonged absence.
In the meantime, the Mets will need to rely on other members of their pitching staff to step up. The team has already been dealing with injuries to their ace, Jacob deGrom, as well as veteran pitchers Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Carrasco.
Fortunately for the Mets, they have several promising young arms who could help fill the void left by Quintana. David Peterson, who impressed in his rookie season in 2020, is set to take on a larger role this year. The team also has several top pitching prospects waiting in the wings, including 19-year-old phenom Ronny Mauricio.
Regardless of who steps up, the Mets will need to find ways to win games without José Quintana. The lefty’s injury is a blow to the team’s hopes, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle. With some creative bullpen management and solid performances from their young pitchers, the Mets can still make a run at the postseason in 2021.
