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Mets' Montero tears UCL; Tommy John surgery likely

Joe Skipper / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New York Mets right-hander Rafael Montero has a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and is likely heading for Tommy John surgery, the team announced Thursday.

The 27-year-old experienced pain during an appearance Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals and exited the game after throwing just six pitches.

Montero's spring numbers haven't been great. He's allowed nine earned runs in nine innings, while striking out 10 and walking six.

The Dominican hurler pitched a career-high 119 innings for New York last season, going 5-11 with a 5.52 ERA and 1.75 WHIP.

Even with Montero likely out for the entire season, the Mets' bullpen could still feature eight relievers, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo:

PITCHER G IP ERA WHIP SO
Jeurys Familia 26 24.2 4.38 1.46 25
AJ Ramos 61 58.2 3.99 1.42 72
Anthony Swarzak 70 77.1 2.33 1.03 91
Jerry Blevins 75 49.0 2.94 1.37 69
Paul Sewald 57 65.1 4.55 1.21 69
Seth Lugo 19 101.1 4.71 1.37 85
Jacob Rhame 9 9.0 9.00 2.11 7
Robert Gsellman 25 119.2 5.19 1.50 82

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