Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has been lights out the past few seasons. This season he is tied for fifth in baseball with 13 saves, to go along with a 1.50 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched.
For the Dodgers, closing out games has not been the issue, rather it has been getting from the starter to Jansen in the ninth.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has struggled mightily over the past few seasons, and that has largely carried over into 2016. Collectively, the bullpen owns a 3.69 ERA, which ranks 15th in baseball.
The group was taxed as of late, with eight relievers needed to get through a 17-inning game on Sunday in San Diego against the Padres. That was the afternoon after five relievers were used in an 11-inning game.
There’s been plenty of talk centered around promoting Julio Urias from Triple-A Oklahoma City and sticking him in the bullpen. While that may eventually come to fruition, the Dodgers might first consider another option.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said hard-throwing right-hander Frankie Montas could serve as a reliever in the Majors:
“We’re building up his pitch count to give us the flexibility to be a starter, but I assume he’s coming out of the bullpen for us,” said manager Dave Roberts. “I like hearing that he’s hitting a hundred. A hundred’s good. Throw a hundred with command, you can help a Major League club.”
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 him in a three-team trade with the White Sox and Cincinnati Reds during the offseason.
In 23 games, all starts, with Double-A Birmingham last season, Montas went 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and had 108 strikeouts over 112 innings pitched.
While the current plan holds for Montas to be stretched out as a starter, a future as a late-inning reliever or closer should not yet be ruled out. Montas recently began a rehab assignment with Double-A Tulsa. He underwent rib resection surgery in February.
