Before the 2023 season even began, the New York Yankees were dealt a disastrous blow with starting pitcher Frankie Montas. Montas was acquired at the trade deadline last summer in exchange for left-handed pitchers JP Sears and Ken Waldichuk.
Unfortunately, Montas was disappointing while donning the pinstripes. He enjoyed a 3.18 ERA, 3.20 xFIP, and 9.37 strikeouts per nine across 104.2 innings with the Oakland Athletics. The very moment he joined the Bombers, his numbers saw a major drop off, enjoying a 6.35 ERA, 4.68 xFIP, and 7.49 strikeouts per nine across 39.2 innings.
A shoulder injury seemed to be the cause behind his wayward numbers, and most believed he would be 100% healthy to start the upcoming campaign. However, the Yankees announced that Montas would miss at least the first month of the regular season with shoulder information, likely carrying over from last year.
Luckily, manager Aaron Boone offered a piece of positive news regarding his timetable on the Yankee Hot Stove show with Jack Curry on the YES Network.
Boone indicated that Montas had been rehabilitating, waiting for the opportunity to work out and start his throwing program this off-season. They had him on a specific time frame, but doctors cleared him to work out, and his throwing program should begin soon.
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The Yankees need Frankie Montas to stay healthy in 2023:
Montas projects to have an important role in the Yankees’ rotation, one that includes Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortés, and Luis Severino. The team let Jameson Taillon walk, who eventually signed with the Chicago Cubs in free agency. The Yankees added Rodon, one of the best options on the open market.
Frankie has the stuff to be an ace on some other teams, and serving as the No. 5 for the Yankees is certainly a good problem to have. Nonetheless, he’s only as good as his health, and Montas has dealt with some injury issues in the past. He pitched over 100 innings for the first time in 2021, logging 187. He took a dip to 144.1 this past year, so the Yankees are hoping he can be an impact piece after he recovers, but giving him ample time to ensure he’s 100% should be a priority.