The Nationals signed Montes de Oca (elbow) to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Montes de Oca has thrown a total of just 10 innings over the last three seasons due to a pair of Tommy John surgeries, and it's not clear whether he will be ready to go at the beginning of spring training. The big right-hander boasts a 31.9 percent strikeout rate during his time in the minors and fanned six batters in 3.1 innings with the Mets in 2022, so there's bat-missing ability if he's able to stay healthy and throw strikes.

Montes de Oca underwent a second Tommy John surgery toward the end of last year's minor-league season, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

De Oca had his first Tommy John surgery in March of 2023 and needed the operation again less than two years later. The 28-year-old made only 13 appearances in 2024 after not making any in 2023, and he's now looking at another lost season. De Oca has a 31.9 percent strikeout rate during his time in the minors and fanned six batters in 3.1 innings with the Mets in 2022, but he also had a career 18.1 percent walk rate in the minors and a lengthy injury history. The odds are stacked against him making it back to the big leagues.

Montes de Oca (elbow) was activated from Triple-A Syracuse's 60-day injured list Saturday and assigned to Double-A Binghamton.

EDGE Analysis

Montes de Oca made his 2024 Binghamton debut Saturday against Akron, striking out two over a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old reliever had been on the IL all season for Syracuse while completing his recovery from his March 2023 Tommy John surgery. Montes de Oca could eventually join Syracuse later on in the campaign if he's first able to string together a few quality appearances with Binghamton.

Montes de Oca (elbow) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Montes de Oca is no longer on the Mets' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The big right-hander missed all of 2023 and is expected to be sidelined until around midseason of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Mets placed Montes de Oca (elbow) on outright waivers Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montes de Oca underwent Tommy John surgery shortly before Opening Day, causing him to miss the entire 2023 season. Though he no longer holds a spot on New York's 40-man roster, the 27-year-old righty could be brought back on once he fully recovers from his procedure.

Montes de Oca (elbow) has begun a throwing program, Metsmerized Online reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montes de Oca is nearly seven months removed from Tommy John surgery and is finally testing out his rebuilt elbow with some catch at the Mets' spring training complex in Florida. The big reliever will be sidelined until around midseason next year.

Montes de Oca (elbow) was transferred Tuesday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL.

EDGE Analysis

It's a procedural move to open up a 40-man roster spot for Denyi Reyes, whose contract was selected from the minors. Montes de Oca underwent Tommy John surgery last week and won't return to live action until sometime in mid-2024.

The Mets placed Montes on the 15-day injured list Thursday after he underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday along with a procedure to remove a bone spur and bone fragment from the back of his right elbow, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

De Oca had been scheduled for an arthroscopic procedure to address the loose bodies in his elbow, but after further examination, doctors tested his UCL and determined that the ligament needed to be replaced, too. It's the second Tommy John surgery for Montes de Oca, who had his first one back in 2013 while he was in high school. Because of that, his rehab might take longer, possibly sidelining him until at least the middle of the 2024 season.

Montes de Oca will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to remove bone fragments from his right elbow, Russell Dorsey of Bally Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dorsey hears that the 26-year-old right-hander is looking at around four months of rest and rehab "with a possible return to action in mid-August." Montes de Oca made his MLB debut in 2022 and almost certainly would have been given another shot at some point in the first half of the 2023 campaign. He spent the majority of last season in the upper minors, pitching to a 3.33 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 51.1 innings between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

Montes de Oca (elbow) will be shut down for the next 3-to-4 weeks, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montes de Oca was diagnosed Monday with a stress reaction in his right elbow, and now there's at least some semblance of a timetable for his recovery. The ligaments in his elbow checked out fine, but he will open the 2023 season on the injured list.