Cubs part ways with Montero after his postgame outburst
Cubs’ Bryant to miss time with a right ankle sprain
WASHINGTON — The Chicago Cubs have cut ties with disgruntled veteran catcher Miguel Montero.
Montero was designated for assignment Wednesday, one day after he was critical of Jake Arrieta and the pitching staff for their inability to hold runners. The Nationals stole a franchise-record seven bases Tuesday night in their 6-1 victory over the Cubs. A source confirmed Montero is off the roster. “I understand the business,” Montero said after learning of the Cubs’ decision. “I hope they take off and do well now that I’m gone.”
Montero said he was contacted Tuesday night by team officials after expressing his frustration, then called Arrieta to apologize shortly before President Theo Epstein informed him the team was going to designate him for assignment.
“I was frustrated,” Montero said. “Jake and I have come a long way. He said he understood. It was the heat of the moment. He was cool about it. I feel bad.”
But Montero said the stolen-base issue was one of those things where “you got to speak up. I’m responsible for my actions, but I’m not going to change.
“I had a great time in Chicago and with the fans. It’s time for me to move on, and it’s time for the team to move on without me.”
Veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo lashed out at Montero during an interview on WMVP-AM 1000 on Wednesday morning.
“He’s obviously frustrated,” Rizzo told the radio station. “Whenever anyone steals seven bases, Miggy gets frustrated. It’s his second time barking in the media and not just going to his teammates. It’s something as a veteran like he is, you’d think he’d make smarter decisions about it.
“We win as a team, we lose as a team. If you start pointing fingers, I think that just labels you as a selfish player. We have another catcher that throws out everyone.”
The last straw occurred Tuesday night after the Nationals had their way on the bases.
Leadoff hitter Trea Turner stole four bases in the first three innings. In the fourth, Michael A. Taylor stole second and scored after stealing third when Montero sailed a throw wide of the base and into left field.
Montero expressed his displeasure after the game.
“That’s the reason they were running left and right today because they (Arrieta) were slow to the plate. Simple as that,” he told reporters. “It’s a shame it’s my fault because I didn’t throw anyone out.
“It really sucked because the stolen bases go on me but when you really look at it the pitcher doesn’t give me any time so yeah, ‘Miggy can’t throw anyone out’ but my pitchers don’t hold anyone on.”
Montero was 0-for-31 in throwing out base runners this season.
“What can I say?” he said. “A couple times I didn’t even try to throw because there was no time, no chance to throw (out anybody).
“So why am I even going to make a throw, or what happened at third? (I) try to make a throw to third and throw to left field because I tried to be too quick.
“It’s frustrating for a catcher because it really hurts me. I feel like I can still throw. I got a good arm, my arm feels great. I just try to be quicker, I try to be perfect. And to make those two together is hard to do.”
The Cubs have 10 days to trade, waive or release Montero, 33, who is scheduled to earn $14 million this season.
CUBS: Chicago third baseman and 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant exited Wednesday’s game against the Washington Nationals with a “mild-to-moderate” right ankle sprain.
The Cubs announced X-rays on the injured ankle were negative and that a potential DL stint remains uncertain. Manager Joe Maddon said Bryant would sit out at least the next two games, including today’s series finale.
RAYS: First-round draft pick Brendan McKay agreed to a minor league contract that includes a signing bonus of $7,005,000, the highest since constraints on draft spending began in 2012.
The University of Louisville pitcher/first baseman was the fourth overall selection in the amateur draft this month and will begin his pro career with Class A Hudson Valley in July, the Rays said Tuesday.
GIANTS: Closer Mark Melancon is going on the 10-day disabled list for the second time this season.
Melancon, who has been unable to shake the right elbow tendinitis that has dogged him all year, will be examined by Dr. Ken Akizuki and get another MRI exam. Melancon threw one shutout inning in Tuesday night’s 14-inning victory over the Colorado Rockies but continues to be hampered by a right pronator strain.