PORT ST. LUCIE — Rafael Montero’s redemption can start Thursday.
The fireballing right-hander is penciled in for his first start of the Grapefruit League season for the Mets, who are scheduled to face the Nationals in Viera.
Montero missed most of last season with shoulder discomfort, after impressing team officials in spring training and cracking the Opening Day roster as a reliever.
“We’ve got to see that he’s healthy and can stay healthy,” manager Terry Collins said Wednesday. “We want to see the guy we all heard about a couple of years ago. He’s going to get opportunities this spring to show he’s still that guy, so the ball is in his court to let us know what he is capable of doing.