Atlanta fell behind early in a 19-4 loss to Philadelphia as Cal Quantrill endured a rough 3.1 innings, yielding nine runs and four homers. Kyle Schwarber anchored the Phillies with a four-homer night. In Gwinnett, JR Ritchie flashed striking prowess with 11 Ks. On the wider MLB slate, Loáisiga is done for the season with a flexor strain, Corey Seager will have an appendectomy, Frankie Montas faces UCL surgery, and Francisco Alvarez fractured a pinkie but hopes to return this season.

Montas to undergo elbow surgery; Tommy John possible, potentially shelving 2026. The 32-year-old posted a 6.28 ERA across 9 appearances (7 starts) after signing a one-year, $17M deal with the Mets; a $17M option for 2027 is likely to be exercised. New York had hoped Montas would unlock more from a veteran rotation, but injuries cloud that plan.

The Mets sit 72-61, four games back of Philadelphia in the NL East and 4.5 games ahead of Cincinnati for the final wild-card. With Montas sidelined, bullpen depth and rotation certainty will drive playoff odds and fantasy-value decisions for 2026.

Montas' season ends with a significant ulnar collateral ligament injury, likely requiring Tommy John or an internal brace. The Mets will be without him for the rest of 2025 and perhaps 2026, muting the rotation depth after his 3-2, 6.68 ERA showing in seven starts and a midseason bullpen shift. New York promotes Brazobán to Syracuse and pivots toward reclamation arms to stabilize a thin staff.

Mets management leans on undervalued veterans as a blueprint for roster flexibility. Megill (elbow sprain) is set for rehab starts, Nimmo and McNeil deal with nagging injuries, and Torrens' bruised hand keeps the bench in flux. Montas remains determined to contribute, crediting the Mets for believing in his talent as he eyes a return after surgery.

The Mets’ deadline halo around their reshuffled bullpen has given way to a grueling act of adaptation. At the heart was a four-armed influx—Tyler Rogers, Ryan Helsley, Gregory Soto—aimed at turning a high-leverage unit into a reliable late-game force. But the field narrative has been less about pedigree and more about new roles, heavier workloads, and a rotation that rarely ventures past the fourth or fifth inning, forcing veterans and newcomers to learn together on the fly.

David Peterson’s eight-inning gem offered a rare relief moment, as the bullpen adjusted and absorbed the workload. Frankie Montas moved to relief, seeking to harness his stuff in high-leverage spots, while Helsley and Stanek battled to reclaim status after tough patches. Diaz remains the closer, yet the bullpen’s overall numbers—4.14 ERA in the last 30 days, 100 innings, and 68.2% inherited-runner clearance—signal a unit still scrambling for consistency as the season winds down. Garrett, Raley, and Rogers became bonds in a collective effort to push through, trusting the process and each other.

Fantasy managers should watch how roles solidify, especially if the rotation stabilizes and the bullpen can avoid cascading workloads. The Mets’ path to a truly dominant relief corps hinges on how quickly the new pieces mesh with the club’s established arms and how often Diaz can be deployed in clutch moments. The message from the clubhouse is clear: stay patient, stay flexible, and ride the progression as the staff refines its late-inning game plan.

Nolan McLean is slated to make his MLB debut Saturday for the New York Mets, stepping into the rotation in place of Frankie Montas as the club continues to push in a tight playoff race. That call comes on the heels of a 13-5 win that snapped a seven-game slide, signaling a continued emphasis on youth and depth in a pennant chase.

Pete Alonso became the Mets’ all-time home run leader with 254 career blasts, breaking a tie with Darryl Strawberry. He stressed the team focus remains on winning rather than milestones, a theme echoed as the Mets balance power with a rotation shake-up and a rising bullpen depth in pursuit of October success.

Nolan McLean brings a minor-league resume highlighted by 226 2/3 innings since 2023, posting a 3.10 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 245 strikeouts and 18 homers allowed. Montas, in his 10th big-league season, sits at 3-2 with a 6.38 ERA through 36 2/3 innings, underscoring the volatility of the Mets’ rotation as they chase wins.

In short order, the Mets’ lineup and pitching depth are being tested in real time as they navigate a playoff sprint, with Alonso’s power fueling the offense and McLean’s arrival injecting a fresh arm into a rotation that must endure the grind of a long season.