Mets Morning News: Rafael Montero shelled in loss to Nationals, Wally Backman fired

Meet the Mets

With the starting lineup decimated by injuries, the Mets turned to Rafael Montero for a start. To say it didn’t go well is an understatement. Montero didn’t make it out of the second inning and the Mets lost 8-1 to the Nationals. He was so bad that he won’t be starting again in 2016 barring utter calamity.

Yoenis Cespedes picked up the lone Mets RBI of the night, knocking Jose Reyes in during the first inning. The only other particularly bright spot of the night for the Mets was Sean Gilmartin, who worked two very effective innings in relief, and has now made five straight relief appearances without surrendering a run.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, NY Post, Daily News, MLB.com, ESPN, NJ.com, Bergen County Record, Newsday, New York Times.

The Mets have parted ways with Wally Backman, and will have a new manager at Triple-A next season. Whether Backman was fired or resigned is not entirely clear, but the Post’s Mike Puma reported that Backman was told he would have been fired three years ago if not for Jeff Wilpon.

Matt Harvey says he’s feeling good post-surgery but that his rehab is coming along slowly.

Jacob deGrom may be coming out of the bullpen soon before returning to the starting rotation.

Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry are still not on speaking terms and avoided each other at a charity event.

Around the Wild Card Race

The Cardinals lost to the Cubs 4-1, and were nearly the victims of a no-hitter before a home run in the ninth inning. The last pitcher to no-hit the Cardinals? That would be Johan Santana for the Mets.

The Giants were blanked by the Padres, meaning the Mets lost no ground in the Wild Card standings.

Around the NL East

The Braves and the Marlins played a wild game that went from a 7-0 lead to a 7-7 tie, to a 12-7 Braves win.

Braves rookie Dansby Swanson took an errant baseball to the groin.

The Phillies beat the Pirates in a Pennsylvania grudge match.

The Nationals’ Matt Latos exited last night’s game against the Mets with what appeared to be a leg injury.

Around MLB

David Ortiz hit his 536th HR to tie Mickey Mantle on the career home runs list.

The Indians Danny Salazar could miss up to a month with a hip strain.

The Pirates have lost Josh Harrison for the season to a groin injury.

The Athletics have released Billy Butler, and remain on the hook for $10 million of his salary, a massive number for the miserly club.

Adam Jones claims players have been supportive of him after he voiced support for Colin Kapernick and called MLB a “White man’s sport.”

Ichiro Suzuki passed Lou Brock and moved into 25th place on MLB’s career hit list.

Yesterday at AA

Matt Varvaro examined Terry Collins’ handling of the bullpen in Saturday night’s loss.

Aaron Yorke previewed the Mets/Nationals series.

Chris McShane handled the Player Performance Meters for Pitchers and Hitters.

Steve Sypa looked back at Brooklyn Cyclone Harol Gonzalez’s dominant season.

Matt Varvaro brought you another Monday Morning Mets Mind Boggler.

This Date in Mets History

Back in 1983, Mike Fitzgerald became the second Met to hit a home run in his first MLB at-bat.