New York Yankees right-hander Frankie Montas is still experiencing shoulder inflammation and will reportedly miss the first month of the regular season, sources told Jon Heyman and Dan Martin of the New York Post.
Montas, 29, experienced right shoulder inflammation at the end of last year and landed on the injured list in mid-September. He returned to throw one inning in the postseason, allowing one solo homer in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros. He is 8-10 weeks behind in his offseason recovery and likely won't return until May.
Montas was acquired along with Lou Trivino by the Yankees from the Oakland Athletics prior to last year's trade deadline to solidify the back end of the rotation for a package of prospects headlined by Ken Waldichuk.
After being added, though, Montas struggled to a 6.35 ERA and 4.93 FIP over 39 2/3 innings, making eight starts.
Montas was expected to fill the back end of the Yankees' rotation this upcoming season, behind Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, and Nestor Cortes Jr.
Entering his final season of arbitration eligibility, Montas and the Yankees avoided the process on Friday, agreeing to a one-year, $7.5-million contract.
