NY Mets have 30 days to make what could be a major roster decision

The New York Mets' starting rotation depth was challenged coming into the season. After several pitchers were placed on the injured list, the Mets had to call up players who would likely start the season in Triple-A. While it's not the start they wanted, the rotation has proven to be the team's strength. They're a significant reason the Mets have had such a strong start. They rank in the top five in most pitching categories.

However, despite how well their rotation has pitched, the Mets have a major decision to make. With the news that free agent acquisition Frankie Montas is starting a rehab assignment, he'll likely join the staff once ready. This leaves the future of two Mets starters up in the air, specifically, Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn. Here's why those two pitchers' futures are uncertain.

Why Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn futures have a lot of question marks

Many will be quick to point out that adding Montas doesn't mean a pitcher has to be removed from the roster. The Mets want to have a six-man rotation to give Kodai Senga the easiest transition to the MLB as possible. But with Sean Manaea trending towards a rehab start, he'll likely return soon rather than later. Taking that sixth spot in the rotation. This log jam in the rotation is something the Mets will want to fix quickly, which is why Megill and Blackburn's future is uncertain.

While Megill had a strong start to the season, he's repeating a concerning career trend. That is his inability to stay effective outside the month of April. Over his career in the month of April, he's pitched to an ERA of 2.45 and held batters to a slash line of .212/.292/.326. However, from May to October, he's pitched to a 4.89 with an opponent's slash line of .265/.336/.433.

This year has been more of the same. In his first six starts, he pitched to a 1.77 ERA over 31 innings with 39 strikeouts to 12 walks and a WHIP of .995. However, since the calendar changed to May, his numbers have dramatically changed. Over 17 innings, he has an ERA of 6.88 with 27 strikeouts to 11 walks and a 1.76 WHIP—not the type of numbers a pitcher on a contending team should have.

Unlike Megill, Blackburn has not pitched an inning this season. Just like Manaea and Montas, Blackburn started the season on the injured list due to a knee injury. He's also undergone offseason surgery to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak. While he's currently rehabbing and should take at least one turn in the rotation, it's unclear how much time he'll spend.

Through Blackburn's 24 1/3 innings as a Met he has a 5.18 ERA with 21 strikeouts to seven walks and a WHIP of 1.56. Not terrible numbers, but certanily not good enough to garuntee him a rotation spot. The only way Blackburn could have been a consistent pitcher in the rotation was if injuries occured. However with the staff about to be at full strength, it seems like that opportunity won't come.