The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Frankie Montas from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. The roster move comes on the heels of Montas, who underwent rib resection surgery in February, completing his rehab assignment.
The right-hander spent time with Double-A Tulsa and the Oklahoma City Dodgers, appearing in six games (three starts). Montas threw a combined 12 innings, posted a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and had 18 strikeouts to just two walks.
He completed his longest outing during the rehab assignment on June 9 — throwing four innings and allowing one run on two hits. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously indicated Montas was considered an option for the bullpen.
However, given the bullpen’s recent success and Dodgers’ need for a starter, it’s conceivable Montas finds his way to the Majors by way of the starting rotation.
He’s scheduled to start for Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Montas appeared in seven games (two starts) with the Chicago White Sox last season, going 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 15 innings.
The Dodgers acquired the hard-throwing right-hander in a three-team trade with the White Sox and Cincinnati Reds last December. In 23 games, all starts, with Double-A Birmingham in 2015, Montas went 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and had 108 strikeouts over 112 innings pitched.
The Dodgers now have 39 players on their 40-man roster. Not included in that total are players on the 60-day DL: Brett Anderson, Yimi Garcia, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu.