NEW YORK – The Mets continued to increase their pitching depth on Sunday, signing veterans Mike Montgomery and Tommy Hunter on minor league contracts. Both received invitations to the big league spring training, bringing the total number of Mets invitations to 70.
Montgomery, a former first-round draft pick, has oscillated between initial work and relay throughout his six-year career with the Mariners, Cubs and Royals. He won a World Series ring with the Cubs in 2016, allowing a career in five Fall Classic appearances. Most recently, Montgomery served as a downloader for several tickets to Kansas City, spending two brief stays with the Seniors in 2020.
With the Mets, Montgomery offers another left-back bullpen option behind Aaron Loup, with the possibility of stretching as a starter if necessary.
Hunter also entered the major leagues as a starter in 2008, but has worked exclusively as a downloader for the past eight seasons. Last season he posted a 4.01 ERA in 24 appearances for the Phillies, with 25 tackles in 24 2/3 innings.
Hunter will compete with many others to get a job at Mets ’Bullring Opening Day. 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 on Edwin Diaz, Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Miguel Castro and Loup. This leaves room for one or three pitchers to win jobs, with Montgomery and Hunter competing against Robert Gsellman, Sam McWilliams and many others.
Previous minor league signings include veterans Jerry Blevins, Trevor Hildenberger and Arodys Vizcaino.
And the Mets could still add extra weapons before spring training. They have been related to free agent Trevor Rosenthal, among others, in recent weeks.