So on Tuesday, when manager Carlos Mendoza announced Montas was moving to the bullpen, it was far from a surprise (though objectively disappointing, considering the righthander signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Mets in the offseason).

The Mets are moving Frankie Montas to the bullpen, potentially paving the way for Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat to debut this weekend.

The Mets promoted 22-year-old stud pitching prospect Jonah Tong to Syracuse on Sunday — after he dominated at Double-A Binghamton with a 1.59 ERA over 20 starts — but the expectation within the organization is the right-hander won’t be a candidate to pitch in the major leagues this season.