PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Frankie Montas, who signed a two-year, $34 million free-agent contract in December with the New York Mets, will be shut down from pitching for six to eight weeks because of a strained back.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday it was a high-grade lat strain and Montas was heading to New York for an injection. After the shutdown, Montas will need a spring training-like buildup, meaning he won’t pitch for the Mets until May at the earliest.

The injury creates uncertainty for a starting rotation that went through a makeover during the offseason. Mendoza said Montas’ injury doesn’t necessarily mean the Mets will no longer go with a six-man rotation.

“We’ve got options,” Mendoza said. “It’s still too early. We will continue to have those conversations.”

The Mets filled holes in their rotation with free-agent deals for Montas, Sean Manaea, Griffin Canning and former All-Star closer Clay Holmes. They bolstered their bullpen by adding A.J. Minter and re-signing Ryne Stanek.

Montas missed most of the 2023 season because of shoulder surgery. He returned last season and went 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA while pitching for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb