Banished to the bullpen after struggling in the starting rotation, Montas trails only Edwin Díaz as the Mets' most expensive reliever.

Montas entered Thursday with a 3-2 record and a 6.38 ERA over eight appearances, including seven starts. His lone relief appearance came last Saturday in Milwaukee when the Mets used an opener in front of Montas, who then surrendered three runs (one earned) in three innings.

This is not what the Mets envisioned when they gave Frankie Montas a $34 million contract. Manager Carlos Mendoza announced before Tuesday’s game against the Braves that Montas is out of the rotation and moving to the bullpen.