Mets demote Rafael Montero to Las Vegas, recall Buddy Carlyle

Following a fourteen-inning loss to the Phillies, the Mets have demoted Rafael Montero to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s and recalled relief pitcher Buddy Carlyle from the team to take his place on the roster. The Mets will slot Daisuke Matsuzaka into the starting rotation in Montero's place, while Carlyle will join the team's bullpen.

Montero's first four major league starts didn't go well overall. He totaled 20 innings over that span with a 5.40 ERA and 6.25 FIP. Home runs, which had not been a problem at any point of Montero's minor league career, were a major problem, as he allowed 2.25 per nine. While his strikeout rate was decent at 7.65 per nine innings, his 4.95 walks per nine were also uncharacteristic based on his minor league career. This, of course, does not mean Montero is a bust, and he will undoubtedly get another shot with the Mets this season.

Carlyle is 36 years old and has not pitched in a major league game since he did so for the Yankees in 2011. Before that, he spent some time with the Padres, Dodgers, and Braves, dating all the way back to 1999. He has a career 5.58 ERA in the big leagues, but he managed a 1.27 ERA in 18 appearances for Vegas this year with 10.97 strikeouts and 2.11 walks per nine innings.

Last but not least, Matsuzaka has managed a 2.54 ERA and 3.76 FIP in 16 appearances, one of which was a spot start, with the Mets this year. He's striking out 9.85 batters per nine and not allowing many home runs, but his walk rate—6.35 per nine innings—is one of the worst in the league and could come back to haunt him if the other peripherals don't hold up.