The New York Yankees‘ bullpen has fallen apart because of injuries, particularly near the end of the regular season. The unit had already lost Chad Green and Michael King with arm problems, and Zack Britton, Ron Marinaccio, Clay Holmes, and Stephen Ridings’ names were added to the list of pitchers who won’t be available for the Division Series.
Marinaccio has a chance to return for the Championship Series if the Yankees make it that far, but the bullpen can’t afford any more injuries. With this in mind, there might be a pitcher who is able to help as a reliever in the playoffs.
There is one problem, though: Frankie Montas is still not 100 percent healthy. He would be in the roster otherwise. However, there is an outside chance he is ready to return from his own shoulder maladies near the end of the Division Series.
If that’s the case, the Yankees should deploy him as a reliever: it could help preserve his arm and reach higher velocity. Provided he reaches full healthy at some point in the postseason, Montas could, and should, return as a member of the bullpen.
The Yankees don’t have room for Montas in the rotation, but he could help in the bullpen
The playoff rotation is currently full with Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes Jr., Luis Severino, and Jameson Taillon, with Domingo German as a wild card. Even if healthy, Montas and his 6.35 ERA in 39.2 frames as a Yankee probably wouldn’t make the rotation.
But he could be used as a bullpen piece, especially with all the injuries in the Yankees’ relief corps. He started playing catch on Saturday, and while there is no guarantee he will be ready in time for the Division Series, there is a chance.
Having Montas, who is really good when healthy, back as a reliever for the playoffs would help the Yankees cope with so many injuries in the bullpen.