New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana, on the injured list after suffering a fractured rib in spring training, is taking a big step forward in his rehabilitation.
Anthony DiComo, the Mets' beat writer for MLB.com, reported that Quintana received positive word on his CT scan Friday as he recovers from rib surgery. He is set to begin mound work on Saturday. Quintana told DiComo:
"It's time to get ready for baseball."
Neither the New York Mets nor Jose Quintana have placed a timeline on his return to the team's rotation, but DiComo reported that early July "looks good."
For many Mets fans, Quintana's return in July would be just like picking up a pitcher before the MLB trade deadline.
The initial prognosis for Jose Quintana had him not returning to the New York Mets staff until after the All-Star Break, so an early July debut would beat the original timeline by a week or two.
Quintana, whom the New York Mets signed to a two-year, $26 million contract this offseason to strengthen the back half of their rotation, was sidelined after throwing less than an inning in his first spring training game on March 5.
Jose Quintana was just one of the injuries to beset the Mets starting rotation this season. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have also missed time due to injury. It's fair to say that fans have seen enough of David Peterson, who was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday after posting an 8.08 ERA as a Mets' starter.
Of course, while news of Quintana's return is good for the future, Mets fans are concerned with the present. However, there may be little reason for New Yorkers to riot as for the first time this season, youngsters Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Francisco Alvarez are all in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Citi Field.
New York Mets need Jose Quintana back
In a perfect world, Quintana was seen as an ideal fourth or fifth starter for a Mets rotation that featured Scherzer, Verlander and Kodai Senga. Quintana made 32 starts with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022, going 6-7 with a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
It was a career resurgent season for Quintana, who had bounced around from the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants before re-finding himself with Pittsburgh.