NEW YORK – The Mets continued to increase their pitch depth on Sunday, signing veterans Mike Montgomery and Tommy Hunter for secondary league contracts. Both received invitations to major league Spring Training, bringing the total number of Mets invitations to 70.
Montgomery, a former Draft pick in the first round, fluctuated between starting work and substitute work throughout his six-year career with the Mariners, Cubs and Royals. He won a World Series ring with the Cubs in 2016, allowing him to race in five performances at the Fall Classic. Most recently, Montgomery served as a multi-entry reliever in Kansas City, spending two brief stints at the Majors in 2020.
With Mets, Montgomery offers another left-handed bullpen option behind Aaron Loup, with the ability to stretch as a starter if necessary.
Hunter also joined the major leagues as a starter in 2008, but has worked exclusively as a reliever for the past eight seasons. He posted an ERA of 4.01 in 24 appearances for the Phillies last season, with 25 eliminations in 24 2/3 innings.
Hunter will compete with many others for a job in the Mets Opening Day bullpen. An additional site exists due to Seth Lugo’s impending elbow surgery, but Mets has half a dozen locks or almost locks for the bullpen in Edwin Díaz, Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Miguel Castro and Loup. This leaves room for between one and three pitchers to win jobs, with Montgomery and Hunter competing against Robert Gsellman, Sam McWilliams and many others.
Previous Minor League hires include veterans Jerry Blevins, Trevor Hildenberger and Arodys Vizcaino.
And Mets could still add additional arms before spring training. They have been linked to free agent Trevor Rosenthal, among others, in recent weeks.