Frankie Montas UCL Tear Could Sideline Mets Entire 2026 Season

The New York Mets just got hit with a brutal setback for their 2026 plans. Pitcher Frankie Montas tore his UCL, needs surgery—almost certainly Tommy John—and now he’ll miss the entire season.

Montas was supposed to anchor the Mets’ rotation. Now that he’s out, there’s suddenly a chance for young, high-upside arms to grab the spotlight.

With the club forced to adjust, prospects Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong are suddenly names everyone’s whispering about. Their early showings have already started turning heads among scouts.

A Devastating Setback for the Mets’ Rotation

The Mets had penciled Frankie Montas into their 2026 rotation, counting on him for veteran steadiness and maybe some late-career magic. That plan’s out the window now—a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) changes everything.

Tommy John surgery usually means a year (at least) of rehab, but honestly, who knows? Montas probably won’t throw a competitive pitch until 2027.

Montas’ Contract Decision Looms Large

Montas is almost certain to exercise his $17 million option for 2026. If you’re him, why wouldn’t you? It’s guaranteed money during a long rehab.

For the Mets, though, it stings—paying top dollar for zero innings. It’s a tough reminder of the gamble that comes with signing pitchers who’ve already had injury issues.

Next Men Up: Young Guns in Focus

With Montas shelved, the Mets are dipping into their farm system. Opportunity’s knocking for two young arms who could make things interesting.

These days, homegrown talent can swing a team’s future. If these prospects break out, maybe Montas’ absence won’t hurt as much as everyone fears.

Nolan McLean’s High-Spin Arsenal

Nolan McLean got the call at a pretty desperate moment for the Mets. He’s got crazy spin rates—his fastball and breaking stuff both jump late, which gives hitters fits.

Spin rate is all the rage with analysts, and McLean’s numbers suggest he should rack up strikeouts, as long as he finds the zone often enough.

Jonah Tong: A Complete Package

McLean’s got the eye-popping analytics, but Jonah Tong brings a more classic, well-rounded approach—and still plenty of upside. His fastball sits at a lively 96–97 mph, and he’s got two sharp breaking balls that keep batters off balance.

What really sets Tong apart is his changeup. At his age, having four usable pitches is rare, and that mix could play for a long time.

Tong’s not just about the stuff, either. Coaches and scouts rave about his work ethic and attitude—one even called him an “80 human” on the 20–80 scale, which is about as high as praise gets in baseball circles.

The Scouting Win That Landed Jonah Tong

Inside the organization, people are already calling Tong’s signing one of the Mets’ best recent scouting finds. They grabbed him in the seventh round and inked him for just $226,000—a steal, honestly, considering his talent.

Credit to the Talent Spotters

Marlin McPhail spotted Tong, with front office execs Marc Tramuta and Tommy Tanous backing the call. Tong barely had any exposure to scouts, thanks to the COVID-19 shutdowns. Still, they saw something special, and it’s already paying off as Tong makes his mark in pro ball.

Looking Ahead

The loss of Frankie Montas will test the Mets’ 2026 aspirations. Baseball’s unpredictable, and sometimes adversity just throws open unexpected doors.

Maybe this is the moment for arms like McLean and Tong to step up. If either one of them—or both, who knows—can prove they’re legit MLB starters, the narrative could shift entirely.

Right now, Mets fans get to watch these young pitchers face the spotlight. There’s a real hope that, a year from now, Montas’ absence won’t even matter all that much.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Frankie Montas could miss all of 2026 with UCL tear in $17 million…