The New York Mets announced José Quintana as the team’s Opening Day starter. Manager Carlos Mendoza revealed the news to reporters Wednesday and spoke highly of the veteran’s experience on the mound.
“Obviously this is a guy who has been in the league for a long time,” Mendoza said. “He’s one of those guys who competes, takes the ball, knows how to pitch, and we like how he’s bouncing back. We feel like the more he goes through his progression, the stronger he feels. So we talked to him today and it was exciting news and big day for us.”
José Quintana Named Opening Day Starter
Quintana, 35, missed around four months last season but quickly established himself as an important veteran presence. In 13 starts, Quintana tossed 75 2/3 innings with a 3.57 ERA (118 ERA+). He is a quality mid rotation starter at this point in his career, but lacks the upside of a typical ace.
The assignment was supposed to go to Kodai Senga, but a shoulder injury will keep him out for much of the first half. Luis Severino possess ace potential and has looked phenomenal this spring. However, Quintana represented the clear replacement for Senga due to his time with the Mets and presence in the clubhouse.
While Quintana has one prior Opening Day start in his career (2017 with the Chicago White Sox), he told reporters that the assignment is still special for him considering the talent in the Mets’ rotation.
The Mets will open the season on March 28 at Citi Field against the Milwaukee Brewers. This will be the first time that the Mets will play Opening Day at home in front of fans since 2018. The last Citi Field Opening Day game came in 2020 with no fans in the ballpark. In other words, it’s the first time ever that Pete Alonso plays Game One of an Major League Baseball campaign at home in front of fans.
Quintana’s Mets Career
The lefty veteran is entering the final season of a two-year, $22 million deal signed in December 2022. New York initially signed him due to his reliability. However, Quintana’s 13 starts in 2023 represent his lowest season total in his 12-year career (besides the shortened 2020 season). His previous career-low in a full season was 25 in 2021.
The Mets did not get the dependable innings they signed Quintana for last year, and it hurt the team. Those innings will be crucial for both the team and player this season. The Mets will need Quintana at full strength to either make the playoffs, or to get assets for him at the deadline. For Quintana, a solid season could allow him to cash in again in free agency this winter.
The price of pitching has skyrocketed, and he should look to take advantage of that following a good 2024 campaign. But for now, he will be focused on his Mets Opening Day assignment.
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