Yankees pitcher Frankie Montas may need shoulder surgery

Wed, Feb 15, 2023
Other News (AP)

TAMPA, Fla, (AP) - Frankie Montas may need shoulder surgery, an indication the pitcher may become a long-term injury concern for the New York Yankees.

Pitching coach Matt Blake said Wednesday that surgery "is on the table" for the 29-year-old right-hander. Montas was acquired from Oakland on Aug 1. and went 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in eight starts with the Yankees. He didn't pitch after Sept. 16 due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder.

Montas left a July 3 start at Seattle after 13 pitches with shoulder tightness - his velocity was down about 3 mph. He returned July 21 and had a 2.25 ERA in starts against Detroit and Houston.

"I think we're comfortable with where he's at shoulder-wise," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said at the time of the trade.

New York's pitchers and catchers reported for spring training on Wednesday. Blake said Montas is not throwing and is being evaluated by doctors.

"It's just a matter of doing our due diligence here and seeing where we're at," Blake said.

If surgery is required, Blake said it would not necessarily be season ending.

New York left-hander Nestor Cortes is sidelined by a strained right hamstring and is uncertain for opening day.

Gerrit Cole, newcomer Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino project to be part of a rotation that also could include Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt.

Reliever Michael King, coming back from a fractured right elbow that required surgery, said he is 100% and has no limitations at spring training, King was 6-3 with a 2.29 ERA in 34 outings in 2022 before the season-ending injury in July.

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