The New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana has suffered a small stress fracture in his fifth rib on his left side, the team confirmed on Monday. Expected to play in the World Baseball Classic for Colombia, Quintana’s availability for the start of the new MLB season has now been put into question.
Quintana departed from his spring training outing on Sunday after experiencing side tightness, after which he withdrew from the World Baseball Classic. He is now scheduled to travel to New York for further imaging.
With Quintana’s return date still unknown, the Mets will need to determine how they will fill the void left by their star left-handed pitcher. Among the team’s existing lineup are fellow stars Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander who are followed by the arrival from Japan Kodai Senga and veteran Carlos Carrasco.
Should the Mets require additional firepower, they could turn to David Peterson and Tylor Megill or Elieser Hernandez and Joey Lucchesi, who are set to begin the season in the minor leagues.
Quintana joined the Mets on a two-year, $26 million contract this offseason. The move came after he posted a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.
