The Yankees’ deadline-day arrivals continue to face problems. Frankie Montas, who joined them on August 2, now requires an MRI of his right hand. The player started against the Brewers on Friday but complained of discomfort in his pitching arm.
Montas started against the Brewers on Friday. In 3 ⅓ innings, he allowed four runs on four hits and four walks.
The team had plans to let Frankie Montas lead the rotation against the Red Sox. However, this looks unsure and everything depends on Montas’ MRI outcome. The Yankees’ physician Christopher Ahmad to certify his fitness before the team makes any decision.
The injury, according to manager Aaron Boone, is minor and associated with his pitching against at Milwaukee’s American Family Field.
The 29-year-old was traded to the Yankees along with Lou Trivino and five other players at the trade deadline. New York sent three pitchers and a second baseman in exchange to the Oakland Athletics.
Before the trade, Montas had a 3.18 ERA (117 ERA+) and a 3.89 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 19 starts with the Athletics. However, in his first eight starts with the Yankees, he has struggled. Frankie Montas has a 6.35 earned run average (62 ERA+). After pitching an average of five innings per game his strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 2.20.
At least Trivino has made the most of his chance with the Yankees. In 16 innings of relief work so far, he has a 1.13 ERA.
The Yankees started Saturday with a record of 87-57 and a 5 ½ game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. However, they are missing several key players. If Frankie Montas moves to the injured list, he will join other starters Luis Severino, LeMahieu, and Matt Carpenter there.
Andrew Benintendi is out after wrist surgery. Bader, who the Yankees got from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery, is likely to make his team debut in the next few days. Because of plantar fasciitis, he hasn’t been able to play since June.
Manager Boone is concerned over the lineup losing Montas. He said:
“I’m at least a little bit concerned. It seems to be less than what he was dealing with when he was in Oakland a couple of months ago. Obviously, we’ll know more when we get this MRI and then they can move forward from there.”
The Yankees may replace Frankie Montas with Domingo German. It may also force them to ask Luis Severino, who is doing his rehab, to join the lineup.
Will the Yankees suffer if they lose Montas to an injury?
