After he was told earlier this week that he was being removed from the rotation and will be working out of the bullpen moving forward, Mets right-hander Frankie Montas told manager Carlos Mendoza that he still considers himself a starter.

Banished to the bullpen after struggling in the starting rotation, Montas trails only Edwin Díaz as the Mets' most expensive reliever.

Montas entered Thursday with a 3-2 record and a 6.38 ERA over eight appearances, including seven starts. His lone relief appearance came last Saturday in Milwaukee when the Mets used an opener in front of Montas, who then surrendered three runs (one earned) in three innings.