Coming off the injured list, Yankees pitcher Frankie Montas made his much-anticipated season debut in Kansas City on Saturday night. He had his relief appearance in a seemingly inconsequential 5-2 victory over the Royals. But the pitcher was resolute in his determination to reshape the narrative surrounding him, a once-heralded ace who has fallen short of expectations since the Yankees acquired him a mere 14 months ago.
However, Frankie Montas, who nears free agency, was longing for an outing in pinstripes before the season’s end. Though a single appearance versus lackluster Kansas City proves little, the oft-sidelined hurler yearns to showcase full recovery at Kauffman Stadium. The 30-year-old voiced not wanderlust, but a wish for continuity and professed a craving for pinstripes in perpetuity, eager to deliver a complete Yankees campaign.
Frankie Montas was eager to make a statement
Shortly after Frankie Montas retraced his steps to the Yankees‘ dugout, fresh from his inaugural regular-season outing on September 16, 2022, the YES Network captured an evocative moment: Montas, with hands clasped in a gesture of gratitude, gazing skyward. Later, as reliever Greg Weissert sealed the inning by stranding Frankie Montas’ two runners in scoring position, the starter couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and pumped his fist.
For Frankie Montas, this moment held profound significance. It symbolized his triumphant return to a Major League mound, marking the culmination of months spent on the 60-day injured list, diligently rehabilitating from spring shoulder surgery.
Frankie Montas, with a wide smile, shared that he experienced a multitude of emotions after the win. He described feeling a lot of nerves and said that it felt as though he was pitching in the big leagues for the first time.
Boone commented that he believed Frankie Montas looked good during his performance. He emphasized that the most important aspect was that the player appeared to be healthy. The Yankees manager noted that the player didn’t seem to be holding back or protecting anything and that he looked very comfortable on the field. He also observed that Frankie Montas seemed relaxed as if he had been performing at that level for a significant time.
Montas put his best foot forward
Taking the mound in relief of starter Clarke Schmidt during the top of the fifth, Frankie Montas employed his pitching prowess to induce three consecutive ground balls, deftly navigating around a walk and an error committed by second baseman Gleyber Torres. This mastery enabled him to maintain a deadlock on the scoreboard, preserving the 2-2 tie.
Despite grappling with pre-game jitters, Frankie Montas delivered a commendable performance on the mound. He managed to toss 1 1/3 innings devoid of any runs, ultimately securing the victory for his team.
Following a robust three-run surge by the Yankees’ offense in the top of the sixth, Frankie Montas found himself in a precarious situation, surrendering consecutive hits and swiftly pitching himself into a jam. As he approached his pitch limit, he delivered a pivotal final at-bat, punctuating his performance by striking out catcher Logan Porter with a meticulously placed splitter at the lower reaches of the strike zone.
Porter’s futile swing represented the fourth strikeout of Frankie Montas’ abbreviated yet remarkably promising outing. In total, he delivered 26 pitches while facing seven batters and clocking a peak velocity of 95.6 mph with his sinker.
Catcher Kyle Higashioka observed that Frankie Montas appeared to be every bit the pitcher he remembered from the previous summer, a heartening and reassuring sight for the Yankees.
Frankie Montas mentioned that he felt quite good after the game. He remarked that his pitch shapes were good, and his shoulder was in excellent condition. The pitcher expressed his intention to savor the moment as much as possible at that time.
Will it help to fulfill his wish?
While Frankie Montas has previously entertained the notion of a potential return to the Yankees on a “prove-it” contract, he adopted a more enigmatic stance regarding his future during Saturday night’s reflections. His primary focus rests on his family and the pursuit of an offseason marked by productivity and freedom from injuries. The jersey he’ll don in 2024 seems secondary to his immediate priorities.
While Frankie Montas is undoubtedly aware of his impending contract expiration, he didn’t convey a strong desire to explore opportunities elsewhere. In fact, the 30-year-old unequivocally expressed his desire to return to the Yankees for the upcoming year, harboring a deep longing for a complete season wearing the pinstripes.
“I’m looking forward to the future,” he said. “Hopefully it’s here.”
Frankie Montas expressed his anticipation for the future and hoped that it would arrive for him. Boone wasn’t dismissive of the notion either; he suggested that he could envision a scenario where Montas returns for the 2024 season.
As much as Frankie Montas has struggled to meet expectations since his acquisition by the Yankees from Oakland, there’s still a glimmer of the former ace within him. Merely two years ago, the right-hander finished sixth in the AL Cy Young Award race, boasting a commendable 3.37 ERA across a career-high 32 starts with the Athletics. Unfortunately, Frankie Montas has grappled with persistent shoulder issues ever since, with his 2022 campaign being compromised even at the time of the Yankees’ trade acquisition. His situation eventually led to surgery this spring.
If Frankie Montas has indeed put his shoulder concerns firmly behind him, it would be prudent for the Yankees to consider re-signing him under an incentive-laden contract for the upcoming season. Such a deal could be structured such that he earns his due based on reaching specific inning thresholds and maintaining a predetermined level of performance. Moreover, the team could include a club option for the subsequent season, providing flexibility in the event they wish to retain the starter.
Given the Yankees’ prior investment in Frankie Montas, involving the trade of four prospects last summer, this course of action may not entirely salvage an unideal situation. However, should he rediscover his previous form and pitch as he did in Oakland in 2021, the Yankees would rue the day they let him walk.
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