UPDATE (May 22, 9:00 a.m. PT): Frankie Montas did not start for Double-A Tulsa on Saturday as was initially expected. However, he’s slated to start for the Drillers on Sunday.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed prospect Frankie Montas is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Tulsa, the club announced. He’s slated to start Saturday’s game for the Drillers.
Montas underwent rib resection surgery in mid-February, caused by a stress reaction. At the time of his operation, Montas was projected to miss two to four months.
Montas was placed on the 60-day disabled list on February 21 in a corresponding move to clear room on the 40-man roster for the Dodgers’ signing of Cuban right-hander Yaisel Sierra to a six-year, $30 million deal.
As such, Montas is not eligible to be reinstated from the DL until June 2. The Dodgers acquired the hard-thrower last December in a three-team trade with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox.
Along with Montas, their haul included infielder Micah Johnson and outfielder Trayce Thompson. Johnson is currently with Triple-A Oklahoma City, while Thompson has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers.
Last season Montas went 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 23 starts with the White Sox Double-A affiliate Birmingham. He made his Major League debut and pitched seven games for the White Sox (two starts) in September, going 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA in 15 innings. The Dodgers intend to develop Montas as a starter.
Montas, who has 92 career Minor League outings under his belt, signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2009. Of his 92 games in the Minors, 80 have come as a starter. In 382.2 career innings pitched, Montas owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 390 strikeouts.
