The New York Mets have moved struggling right-hander Frankie Montas to the bullpen. The 32-year-old Montas, who signed a two-year, $34 million deal in December, suffered a strained right lat in spring training and has been ineffective since returning to action.

So on Tuesday, when manager Carlos Mendoza announced Montas was moving to the bullpen, it was far from a surprise (though objectively disappointing, considering the righthander signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Mets in the offseason).

Losers of seven straight, the struggling Mets are hopeful either Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat can provide a rotation boost.