Montas makes pitch for spot in rotation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If training camp goes according to plan, the A’s won’t have many decisions to make when the roster is decided.

Nearly all the position players are set. A good case could be made for the top four starting pitchers. And most of the eightman bullpen.

One of the best competitions in camp is for the final rotation spot, and Frankie Montas is a favorite not just because he’s out of options — he’d need to clear waivers if the A’s tried to send him to the minors — but because of how good he looked at certain times last year.

“I wouldn’t say it’s an advantage,” Montas said of being out of options. “Everyone who comes to spring training has to prove himself.”

Montas made his Cactus League debut Monday with two scoreless innings in a 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks. He threw 34 pitches (20 strikes) and introduced his new pitch, a splitfingered

fastball that he threw a handful of times.

On one, he struck out David Peralta.

“I wanted to add something to my slider and two-seamer,” said Montas, who toyed with the splitter last season and focused on implementing it over the offseason. “Hitters don’t have to worry about just two pitches. They have to worry about three pitches now. That will help me.”

Montas, 25, throws in the high 90s and posted a 3.88 ERA last season in nine starts and two relief outings. He had four stints with the A’s, who were able move him back and forth from Oakland to Triple-A Nashville because he still had options.

“You hate to lose a guy as talented as him, so he’ll get every opportunity to make this team,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We hope he has a good camp and somehow we can keep him.”

Among the other candidates for the fifth rotation spot are

Paul Blackburn, who also threw two scoreless innings Monday, Chris Bassitt and perhaps Jesus Luzardo. Lonely bench: The tentative plan to use an eight-man bullpen would leave the A’s with a three-man bench. Thank goodness for Chad

Pinder, who broke into pro ball as an infielder and learned to play the outfield in the majors. With limited options on the bench, versatility is vital, and Pinder’s ability to play every position but pitcher and catcher makes him a key resource.

Actually, Pinder will catch, too. Or at least catch some bullpen sessions to get him familiar with the position in case the A’s need an emergency catcher.

“That’s just kind of where the game’s gone at this point,” said Melvin, referring to bullpenheavy rosters, “especially for a team like us that tends to platoon a little bit. When you have a three-man bench, it makes it a little more difficult. You just don’t have the room to make (many) moves during the course of a game.”

Soria almost ready: Joakim

Soria, whose right hip tendinitis shelved him early in camp, could make his Cactus League debut Wednesday.

“It was a hiccup. I’m glad everything’s fine now,” Soria said. “I’m excited about getting back on the mound.”

Soria threw 20 pitches to hitters at the minor-league facility Sunday. He said he won’t have a problem getting ready for the season, which opens March 20 in Japan.

“I know it’s a shorter spring training,” he said. “We’ve been preparing ourselves for this.”