NEW YORK (Neth.) – The Mets continued to increase their pitching-depth on Sunday by signing veterans Mike Montgomery and Tommy Hunter to Minor League contracts. Both received invitations to Spring Training in the Dutch big league, bringing the total number of invitations from the Mets to 70.
Montgomery, a former first-round Draft pick, has tumbled between start and auxiliary work during his six-year career with the Mariners, Cubs and Royals. He earned a World Series ring with the Cubs in 2016, which allowed him to score once in five Fall Classic appearances. Most recently, Montgomery served as a multi-inning reliever in Kansas City, where he spent two short stints in the Majors in 2020.
With the Mets, Montgomery offers another left-handed bullpen option behind Aaron Loup, with the ability to stretch out as a starter if needed.
Hunter also broke through in the major leagues in 2008 as a starter, but has worked exclusively as a reliever for the past eight seasons. He posted a 4.01 ERA in 24 games for the Phillies last season, striking out 25 batters in 24 2/3 innings.
Hunter will compete with many others for a job in the Mets’ Opening Day bullpen. There’s an extra spot due to Seth Lugo’s impending elbow surgery, but the Mets have half a dozen locks or near locks for the bullpen in Edwin Díaz, Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Miguel Castro, and Loup. That leaves room for one to three pitchers to earn jobs, with Montgomery and Hunter competing against Robert Gsellman, Sam McWilliams and many others.
Previous Minor League signups have included veterans Jerry Blevins, Trevor Hildenberger, and Arodys Vizcaino.
And the Mets were able to add extra arms for Spring Training. They have been associated with, among others, free agent Trevor Rosenthal in recent weeks.