UPDATE (June 24, 11:55 a.m.): Frankie Montas reportedly will miss four to eight weeks due to a broken rib.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers’ seemingly start-to-start waivering on Julio Urias, and Mike Bolsinger’s inability to succeed, it put Frankie Montas in the spotlight. While it was originally believed he would joing the Major League club as a reliever this season, the outlook changed soon after.
Montas began the 2016 season on the 60-day disabled list after undergoing rib resection surgery in February. After pitching in extended Spring Training games at Camelback Ranch, he joined Double-A Tulsa for the start of a rehab assignment on May 22.
Montas then joined Triple-A Oklahoma City for three games (two starts) before he was activated from the DL on June 12. In six rehab games (three starts), he threw a combined 12 innings, posted a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and had 18 strikeouts to just two walks.
The hard-throwing righty started for Oklahoma City on June 15 but was replaced on the seven-day disabled list five days later; though it was retroactive to June 17. According to Andy McCullough of the LA Times, Montas was placed on the DL because of an irritation that developed:
Frank Montas had irritation in the area of his rib surgery incision, which is why he's on the minor-league DL. Not major, but rough timing.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) June 21, 2016
The Dodgers acquired Montas in a three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds last December. In 23 games, all starts, with Double-A Birmingham in 2015, Montas went 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and had 108 strikeouts over 112 innings pitched.
Montas appeared in seven games (two starts) with the White Sox last season, going 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 15 innings. The Dodgers’ apparent need for Montas has subsided over recent weeks, though he could serve as bridge from Urias to Brandon McCarthy and/or Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Montas is eligible to be reinstated from the DL on Friday, though he isn’t listed as a probable by Oklahoma City through Sunday.
