Montas sharp in debut
MESA, Ariz. — The A’s rotation is rounding into shape. At least fourfifths of it.
A day after Sean Manaea debuted in the Cactus League with three impressive innings, Frankie Montas did the same in Oakland’s 10 loss to the White Sox on Sunday, an encouraging development for a team priding itself on its starting pitching depth.
Chris Bassitt and Jesus Luzardo will start the next two games, the second Cactus League appearance for both, but one big omission is Mike Fiers, who had an MRI exam Sunday for his back and hip, the results of which are expected to be revealed Monday.
It’s possible Fiers won’t be ready to open the season, in which case the A’s need to find a replacement. A.J. Puk is a leading candidate even though he hasn’t appeared in Cactus League play yet. Manager Bob Melvin also mentioned Daulton Jefferies and a few others.
“We’ll see where it goes,” Melvin said. “Ideally, A.J. would be a guy we’d look to. Whether or not we’re in a position inningswise for him, we’ll see how the rest of the spring goes.”
Puk has been eased into camp in the wake of his September shoulder surgery. He threw in a simulated game Saturday. The next step is pitching in a Cactus League game, and that’s scheduled for Wednesday.
Montas threw 34 pitches in three scoreless innings, struck out two and gave up two hits. It was his first game since testing positive for the coronavirus just before spring training, and he said whatever he felt in his chest late last month has been cleared.
“It didn’t take me long to get back to where I was,” Montas said.
More on Montas: He was eligible to pitch even though he remains on the COVID19 injured list and not on the 40man roster. It’s allowed by MLB for players who recovered from COVID19 and were medically cleared — essentially a rehab assignment because there aren’t other ways to gain game experience with no minorleague training camp. The A’s can reinstate Montas to the 40man roster later.
Buddy Reed delivered another highlight play when he sprinted to the centerfield wall and stretched his glove atop the padded portion of the batter’s eye, near the 421foot marker, to rob Jose Abreu of extra bases.
Mark Canha continues to get a look at leadoff as a possible replacement for the departed Marcus Semien. The team leader in onbase percentage the past two years, Canha walked twice in three trips. Other options are Elvis Andrus, Ramón Laureano and Tony Kemp.
The A’s had just two hits, singles by Stephen Piscotty in the second and Tyler Soderstrom with two outs in the ninth.
Trevor Rosenthal watch: The closer threw a bullpen session Sunday and is on target to pitch in his first game Wednesday.
Lots of teams are rolling innings, ending innings prematurely because a pitcher has reached his pitch limit. It’s refreshing that Melvin hasn’t done it once. He said fans pay good money for tickets and would prefer to watch all innings completed.
Matt Chapman hopped on the A’s telecast for an inning and said his surgically repaired hip is not a concern. In fact, he’s learning some dance moves from Andrus that were inspired by the new A’s shortstop’s teammate in Texas, Adrian Beltre.
Chronicle A’s beat writer Matt Kawahara
contributed to this report.