TAMPA — Now that’s how you ace a big exam.
Rafael Montero’s turn in the Mets rotation was changed this week for this kind of opportunity: A packed house at George M. Steinbrenner Field against the Yankees, in something that felt more like an important game than a late-March Grapefruit League tilt.
In case there was any doubt about the 24-year-old fireballer cracking the major league roster, that was all but settled with Montero’s performance Wednesday, when he allowed one run on three hits over four innings with four strikeouts.
“That is the best I’ve seen him,” manager Terry Collins said after the Mets’ 7-2 victory.
With Zack Wheeler out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, all signs point to Montero — who began camp as the likely odd man out — settling into a relief role, as Dillon Gee assumes the final opening in the Mets’ rotation.
Montero, according to Collins, could be given a shot at the seventh-inning job to start the season, because the team expects Vic Black to begin April on the disabled list.
Montero has limited experience in the bullpen, but said he is ready for any opportunity.
“In the minor leagues I was a starting pitcher and now in the big leagues I’m ready to pitch in whatever role I have is in the big leagues,” Montero said. “In the minor leagues I want to start, but here in the big leagues it’s their decision.”
He handled a lineup Tuesday that included most of the Yankees’ starters. Montero’s only blip came in the third inning, when he surrendered a RBI double to Chase Headley.
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“[Montero] is going to be a nice asset for that team for a long time,” said Alex Rodriguez, who struck out and popped out in two at-bats against the right-hander.
Montero started with mostly heat, but went to his changeup over the final two innings to keep the Yankees off balance.
In 10 appearances for the Mets last season, Montero went 1-3 with a 4.06 ERA and frustrated team officials with his control problems. But over his last two outings, spanning 7²/₃ innings, Montero has not walked a batter.
“We’ve heard for two years about what a strike thrower he was, and last year when he came up I don’t know if it was nerves or what, but we didn’t see that,” Collins said. “Twice this spring now we have seen exactly what everybody has been talking about.
“He’s had two very good outings in a row where if it’s not a strike, it’s near the zone, and that’s the kind of pitcher we know he should be.”
Collins said he intends to give Montero another start next week. Gee originally had been scheduled to face the Yankees, but the manager switched the two pitchers to see Montero in a prime spot.
“I’ve seen Dillon Gee pitch big games: I didn’t need to see him pitch against the New York Yankees,” Collins said. “I wanted to see this kid pitch on a big stage against a good lineup and he did that today and he threw the ball well.”
And Collins said he isn’t concerned about Montero’s lack of bullpen experience.
“The concerns will be if he doesn’t realize the way he threw the ball today is exactly what you’ve got to do when you’re pitching,” Collins said. “If you can get hitters looking for your fastball, which he has to do, then you can get outs with offspeed pitches. I don’t care what role it is, but that certainly is how you get outs.”