Just Mets

Rafael Montero pitched 5 2/3 innings on Tuesday night in Miami, and was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas.

However, Mets assistant GM John Ricco told reporters in Miami Montero is experiencing shoulder discomfort, and is on his way to the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan for an examination and MRI.

If Montero needs to miss time, that could alter how the Mets go about adding a sixth starter to their rotation the next time they choose to do so.

To fill an immediate need, they could opt to use Carlos Torres in a spot start, but that of course would reduce the options on the bullpen over a given length of time following that outing.

They could also consider using Noah Syndergaard for such circumstances as well. Terry Collins mentioned Syndergaard as a possibility earlier this week, but that would assume Syndergaard is pitching well when a need arises.

He did pitch well in his last start on Monday, allowing only two hits in seven innings.

Alternatively, they could consider promoting Steven Matz, who has arguably moved ahead of Syndergaard in his development. However, he still needs to record about 60 innings in the minor leagues to reach 150 innings above Double-A, which is the threshold the organization prefers before considering a pitcher for promotion.

Both of them are close, and being utilized in this manner could also help keep them under their own innings limits in 2015.