RHP Rafael Montero was optioned to Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday, one day after he threw five shutout innings in his first major league start in 16 months. With LHP Steven Matz battling a sore shoulder and the Mets having a just three off days in the final five weeks. Montero is a candidate to be recalled to the Mets again once rosters expand after Sept. 1. Montero, whose start Monday was his first for the Mets since April 28, 2015, is 0-0 with a 3.68 ERA in three games for the Mets this season and 8-8 with a 5.15 ERA in 24 starts between Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas.

RHP Rafael Montero was recalled from Double-A Binghamton on Monday, when he made his first major league start in 16 months and didn't factor into the decision after allowing two hits and six walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings in the Mets' 2-1, 10-inning win over the Marlins. Montero had just one 1-2-3 inning but stranded seven runners on base, including three in scoring position and one at third base. The start was likely just a one-time thing for Montero, who pitched in place of RHP Jacob deGrom after the struggling deGrom had his turn skipped. Montero, who hadn't started for the Mets since April 28, 2015, is 0-0 with a 3.68 ERA in three games for the Mets this season and 8-8 with a 5.15 ERA in 24 starts between Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas.

RHP Rafael Montero will be recalled from Double-A Binghamton to make his first major league start in 16 months on Monday night, when he takes the mound for the Mets in the opener of a four-game series against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. He is pitching in place of RHP Jacob deGrom, whose turn in the rotation is being skipped after he gave up 13 runs over 9 2/3 innings in his previous two starts. Montero earned the promotion by going 4-2 with a 1.70 ERA in eight starts for Binghamton, to whom he was sent after he went 4-6 with a 7.20 ERA in 16 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas. This is the second trip to the majors this season for Montero, who allowed three runs over 2 1/3 innings in a pair of relief appearances in April. Montero last started for the Mets on Apr. 28. 2015, when he opposed the Marlins at Marlins Park. It was the final big league appearance of the season for Montero, who battled shoulder problems the remainder of the year. Montero is 0-0 with a 3.68 ERA in three games (one start) against the Marlins.

RHP Rafael Montero will be promoted from Double-A Binghamton to start Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins. It will be the first major-league start since April 28, 2015 for Montero, who posted a 1.70 ERA in eight starts at Binghamton after recording a 7.20 ERA in 16 starts at Triple-A Las Vegas.

RHP Rafael Montero (left hand) likely dodged serious injury Wednesday night when he was hit in the hand by a comebacker during his start for Double-A Binghamton. Montero left after being injured but X-rays were negative. The start Wednesday was Montero's sixth for Binghamton, where he was sent after going 4-6 with a 7.20 ERA in 16 starts at hitter-friendly Triple-A Las Vegas. Montero is 3-1 with a 2.34 ERA for Binghamton. He posted an 11.57 ERA in a pair of relief appearances for the Mets this season.

RHP Rafael Montero was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday to clear a roster spot for Jacob deGrom. Montero had pitched 2 1/3 innings in two appearances with an 11.57 ERA. He allowed three runs, five hits and one walk with three strikeouts.

RHP Rafael Montero was officially recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas late Tuesday night following the Mets' 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Montero arrived in New York earlier in the day but was not initially activated. Manager Terry Collins said Montero was brought to New York as insurance in case RHP Logan Verrett, the scheduled starter for Wednesday, had to be used in relief on Tuesday. In that case, Montero would start on Wednesday. Verrett was not needed Tuesday, but with at least three relievers -- RHP Jim Henderson, RHP Hansel Robles and RHP Addison Reed -- unlikely to be available Wednesday due to their recent workloads, Montero was promoted to provide bullpen depth. Montero began the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, for whom he allowed one run on five hits in his first start last Thursday. He is 1-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 15 games (nine starts) as a big leaguer.

RHP Rafael Montero was with the Mets in New York on Tuesday but not yet on the active roster. Manager Terry Collins said Montero, who began the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, is in town as insurance in case the Mets needed to use Wednesday's starter, RHP Logan Verrett, out of the bullpen Tuesday. If that were to occur, Montero would be activated to start Wednesday.

RHP Rafael Montero (right rotator cuff tendinitis) should be ready to go for spring training. He didn't pitch in the majors last season after April 28.

RHP Rafael Montero (right rotator cuff tendinitis) didn't pitch in the majors after April 28. He had a handful of aborted rehab assignments but didn't pitch above Class A St. Lucie and didn't pitch at all after Aug. 16. He is expected to be fine for spring training.

Montero (rotator cuff) is unlikely to pitch the rest of the season, GM Sandy Alderson said Monday.

Montero had some stiffness in his shoulder after his start a few weeks ago, which shut him down again. He has been bothered by the injury since April, though the Mets' doctors have been unable to determine the cause and felt he should be able to pitch.

Montero (shoulder) suffered a setback in his rehab appearance Sunday, and will not rejoin the Mets anytime soon, Rafael Montero of ESPN New York reports.

Montero took a brief pause with his rehab in late Just, but started up again a week later. Now, he's dealing with an issue again and it sounds like his chances of returning this season have slimmed. No official timetable has been released yet, however, so there may still be a chance yet that he'll resurface with the Mets late this season in some capaicty.

Montero (shoulder), making his third appearance in five days, allowed a run on two hits over three innings in a rehab start for High-A St. Lucie on Sunday, ESPN New York reports.

Montero has been sidelined since April 29 due to tendinitis in his shoulder. Mets' doctors have been unable to find anything that would prevent Montero from pitching though there is no clear timetable for his return.

Montero (shoulder), pitching for the first time since July 20, tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one, against the Gulf Coast League Cardinals on Thursday, ESPN New York reports.

Montero, out since April 28 with a strained rotator cuff, had kicked off his rehab on July 14. He made two appearances before getting shut down again with shoulder soreness. Mets' doctors have been unable to find anything that should Montero from pitching and manager Terry Collins was in Port St. Lucie to give him a pep talk and prod to return. If Montero can progress in his rehab, he could be used a spot starter later this month or in September.

New York Mets pitcher Rafael Montero resumed his rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League on Thursday as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, according to ESPN New York.

New York Mets pitcher Rafael Montero resumed his rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League on Thursday as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, according to ESPN New York. Montero made two rehab appearances in mid-July before being shut down due to shoulder soreness, but doctors were unable to find any structural issues and he has been cleared to begin pitching again.

Montero (shoulder) is still experiencing soreness and will meet with team doctors, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Montero has been on the DL since late-April with a rotator cuff strain, and this latest news is not an encouraging sign. The right-hander recently made two rehab appearances with the Mets' Gulf Coast League team, but at this point he doesn't appear close to returning to the big league club.

Montero, making his second appearance after being sidelined since April 28 with a strained rotator cuff, thosee three scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out four for the Gulf Coast Mets on Monday.

Montero's first outing after the injury was last Tuesday, in which he tossed a scoreless inning. Now that he has thrown three innings, the plan likely will either be to continue to stretch him out or use him every second or third day in relief to show he is healthy and increase his value before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.

Montero, sidelined since April 28 with right rotator cuff strain, made his first appearance since the injury tossing a scoreless first inning for the Gulf Coast Mets.

Montero has been throwing but seemed to hit a wall and stagnate in his return from the injury, With the Mets looking to improve the parent club and not inclined to deal a top prospect or starter, Montero may be someone who is moved at the deadline. That may depend on him showing he is healthy for which he took a step forward Tuesday.

Montero (shoulder) has been playing catch and throwing long toss, but he hasn't been throwing from a mound, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Montero's progress has been inconsistent, as he's resumed throwing from a mound multiple times, only to cut back to non-mound work. It's still hard to get a read on the situation, but he probably won't be an option for the Mets until after the All-Star break, if at all this season.

Montero (shoulder) has resumed throwing off a mound, ESPN New York reports.

Montero's return from rotator cuff inflammation has been in stops and starts and it remains to be seen if he will need to shut it down again. If not, Montero likely will return to Triple-A Vegas, where he will either continue to work as a starter or head back to the bullpen.