Month: February 2025

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Monday that newly-acquired pitcher Frankie Montas has sustained a high-grade latissimus dorsi strain and will miss anywhere from six-eight weeks of play time, including opening day.

According to The New York Post’s Mike Puma and Jon Heyman, Montas has not been throwing since arriving at spring training, and will be shut down for a “significant stretch”.

Mendoza said at spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla: “He is on his way to New York right now to get a PRP [platelet-rich plasma] injection to help his back” and will need a spring-training-like “ramp up” after his six to eight week shutdown, but he doesn’t plan to reevaluate his plans for the Mets’ six-man rotation. Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Paul Blackburn are the other pitchers in the Mets’ projected rotation. Said Mendoza: “We’ve got options, we’ve got depth. It’s still too early. Here we are dealing with an injury to one of the starters. We will continue to have those conversations.”

The 31-year-old, right-handed veteran signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Mets in December. over his first 160 career appearances, Montas went 44-46 with a 4.09 ERA. Last season, Montas went 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA over 30 starts last season, which he split between the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.

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Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout announced that he will be switching positions this year, from centerfield to right field. Trout has been a career center fielder since his major league debut with the Angels in 2011, and has only played right field 17 times.

While speaking with reporters before the team’s first full-squad workout at the Angels’ spring training camp on Monday, Trout said: “I knew it was coming. I just wanna be on the field .. [We] kind of just threw everything on the table, as in what’s best for me body-wise [to] keep me on the field, and came to the conclusion that I’m gonna go to right field. I like it, try it out, see where it goes.”

The 33-year-old Trout has dealt with a multitude of injuries throughout the last several years. Since 2019, he’s played more than 100 games just once.  He said of his new position: “I mean, just look at my last couple year. Just trying to preserve the legs and go out there and run some balls down in right. That’s what we came to. I’m with it .. It’s gonna be fun. I’ll enjoy it. Like I told them, I’m gonna go out there and just be as comfortable as I can. If I need to get early work, just to work on some things, get more comfortable, I’ll do that.”

Trout played in nearly 90% (1,212 of 1,356) of the Angels’ games in his first nine seasons, hitting .306 with 297 home runs, 197 stolen bases and 782 RBIs over that span. However over the last four seasons, Trout appeared in just 31% of the Angels’ games due to multiple injuries. The 11-time All-Star and three-time MVP hit .276 with 76 home runs, 11 stolen bases and 156 RBIs during that stretch.

Trout remains under contract through 2030, with an annual salary of $37.1 million, through the $426.5 million pact he signed in 2019.

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William Byron won the 67th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, claiming victory in NASCAR’s most famous race for the second year in a row.

Severe downpours triggered an extended red flag after 11 laps, with the race delayed for roughly three hours before NASCAR called its drivers to return to their cars at 5:25 p.m. ET.

President Trump attended the race, arriving just before the green flag dropped on the first race of the NASCAR season. Trump said in a statement released by White House: “This iconic race showcases the fastest, most fearless drivers in motorsports, who represent our Nation’s love of tradition, competition, and automotive innovation. The Daytona 500 brings together people from all walks of life-from lifelong racing fans to first-time spectators-they all join in celebrating a shared passion for speed, adrenaline, and the thrill of the race.” Actor Anthony Mackie, who plays ‘Captain America’ Sam Wilson, served as the grand marshal; while actor Alan Ritchson was the honorary pace car driver.

Byron took the checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway after a crash broke out on the final lap; he was able to vault from ninth place to the front as other cars crashed around him. (per USA TODAY)  Byron said after the race: “It’s obviously really special. It’s an amazing race, and obviously a lot of crazy racing out there tonight and just a lot of pushing and shoving, but just really proud of our team. I can’t stress that enough. I’m just super thankful.”

Tyler Reddick finished second, and seven-time NASCAR Cups Series champion Jimmie Johnson third. Pole winner Chase Briscoe came home fourth followed by John Hunter Nemechek.

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