NEW YORK – The Mets continued to increase their throwing depth on Sunday, signing veterans Mike Montgomery and Tommy Hunter for contracts in the Minor League. Both received invitations to the big league spring practice, bringing the total number of invitations from Mets to 70.
Montgomery, a former Draft pick in the first round, alternated between starting and auxiliary work during his six-year career with the Mariners, Cubs and Royals. He won a 2016 World Series award at the Cubs, allowing once in five Fall Classic appearances. Recently, Montgomery served in Kansas City as a multi-turn reliever and spent twice in the Majors in 2020.
With the Mets, Montgomery offers another left-handed bullpen option behind Aaron Loup, with the ability to expand as an appetizer if needed.
Hunter also broke into the big leagues as a starter in 2008, but has worked exclusively as a reliever for the past eight seasons. He scored an ERA of 241 in 24 games for the Phillies last season, with 25 results over 24 2/3 overs.
Hunter will compete with many others for a job in the Mets’ Opening Day bullpen. An additional spot exists due to the impending elbow surgery of Seth Lugo, but the Mets have half a dozen locks or nearly locks for the bull in Edwin Díaz, Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Miguel Castro and Loup. This 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 signings include veterans Jerry Blevins, Trevor Hildenberger and Arodys Vizcaino.
And the Mets could add more spring before Spring Training. They have been linked with free agent Trevor Rosenthal in recent weeks.