When the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds last December, the focal point of their haul was hard-throwing right-hander Frankie Montas.
However, Montas underwent rib resection surgery in February, and Trayce Thompson took advantage of Andre Ethier’s injury, and has been a significant contributor thus far. Montas began the 2016 season on the 60-day disabled list and started a rehab assignment on May 22.
He appeared in a total of six games — splitting time evenly with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. In the 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.
There was talk in recent weeks that Montas was a candidate to join the Dodgers starting rotation, perhaps as a replacement for Julio Urias once the club was ready to temporarily pull the plug on the young southpaw.
However, Montas reportedly will miss at least the next month due to a broken rib, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Sources: #Dodgers RHP Frankie Montas has broken rib, expected to be out 4 to 8 weeks. Had surgery to remove first right rib in February. 1/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 24, 2016
Montas’ latest problem stemmed from same incident. Rib at that time showed signs of stress, but was not cracked. 2/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 24, 2016
Oklahoma City placed Montas on the seven-day disabled list on June 20, though it was retroactive to June 17. The reasoning was said to be an irritation near the area of the incision for his February surgery.
Prior to that, Montas made one start after being activated from the 60-day DL, allowing two runs on six hits over four innings. He had four strikeouts and walked one batter in the start.
