Jose Quintana injury update: Expected recovery timeline, reason for surgery, and more

It has not been a kind spring for the New York Mets, as Jose Quintana has now joined the ever-growing list of injured players for the World Series contenders. As one of the notable additions this offseason, Quintana was expected to play a key role for the Mets this season. However, they will be without the veteran to begin the season.

The 33-year-old is expected to be out until, at least, July due to a stress fracture in his rib. While the news is not what the Mets were hoping, they were relieved to find out that the injury was not as devastating as it could have been.

Mets general manager Billy Eppler told reporters Tuesday a scan revealed a lesion on the impacted rib. As a result, Quintana made his way to New York to visit an orthopedic tumor specialist. After a biopsy, as well as additional scans, it was revealed that the lesion was benign.

"Billy Eppler says that Jose Quintana will have surgery to repair a lesion on one of his ribs. The results of a biopsy came back benign. Quintana's absence will extend past at least July 1." - SNY

The news comes on the heels of yet another injury to a key pitcher for the Mets. Superstar closer Edwin Diaz was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during the celebration after Puerto Rico’s WBC victory against the Dominican Republic. He will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the injury.

Jose Quintana is coming off an impressive bounce-back season and was expected to play an important role for the Mets this upcoming campaign. Through 32 games with both the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, Quintana finished the 2022 season with a win/loss record of 6-7. He had a career-best ERA of 2.93, while also racking up 137 strikeouts through 165.2 innings.

"Jose Quintana had a renaissance in 2022 due to his incredible four-seamer and curveball command. Look at this Blake Snell Blueprint (heaters up, breakers down). If this sticks for another season, Mets fans will fall in love with this 2/26M signing." - Nick Pollack

After his resurgent season, Jose Quintana landed himself a two-year, $26 million deal with the New York Mets, who loaded up for a deep playoff run. Now, the team will need to look within the organization or at the free-agent market to replace not only Quintana but Diaz as well.

Jose Quintana's road to MLB success

The New York Mets will be the seventh team of Jose Quintana's career. While he never pitched for them in the MLB, he was a member of the Mets organization for a total of 5.1 innings in 2006 before being suspended for a failed PED test. He was released afterward.

After being signed by the New York Yankees in 2008, Quintana remained in the Minor Leagues until his release in 2011. He eventually joined the Chicago White Sox, making his MLB debut in 2012.

Although he was selected to the All-Star Team in 2016, Quintana was traded to the White Sox's crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs, in 2017. He then spent some time with the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants before signing with the Pirates in 2022, where he enjoyed a career renaissance.