Mets reportedly shut down SP Jose Quintana for 3 months; could return at All-Star break

The New York Mets will likely have to start their season without one of their new starting pitchers. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets are reportedly shutting down left-handed starter Jose Quintana for three months.

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Quintana made just two spring starts before the injury sprung up. He was removed from his last start March 5 after experiencing left-side tightness and was diagnosed the next day with a small stress fracture in his fifth left rib. Due to the injury, he withdrew from the World Baseball Classic (in which he was supposed to pitch for Team Colombia), but until Monday there hadn't been any updates about his diagnosis or course of treatment.

The Mets signed Quintana to a two-year, $26 million contract during the offseason as they attempted to add a mid-rotation starter to their pitching arsenal. He has a career 3.75 ERA over 11 seasons, which include some less-than-great stints with the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs. He started 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates but was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals midseason. Quintana ended the 2022 season with a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts (62.2 innings) for the Redbirds.

If Quintana's rehab goes to plan, it's possible he could be back in the rotation around the All-Star break. As for who will replace the only left-hander in the rotation in the meantime, the Mets are reportedly looking at internal options in RHP Tylor Megill and LHP David Peterson.