Ex-A’s pitcher Montas will miss first half
TAMPA, Fla. — Frankie Montas won’t start throwing until at least late May following right shoulder surgery, a timetable that could allow him to pitch for the New York Yankees in the season’s second half.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday the labrum of the 29-yearold righthander was cleaned up during the procedure a day earlier with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Montas’ rotator cuff did not need to be repaired. Montas won’t throw for 12 weeks.
“Everything went according to plan,” Boone said. “We’re day one out of surgery, so we have a long way to go from there. We’re hopeful at some point he can get back but I don’t want to best case, worst case.”
Montas was acquired from the A’s on Aug 1. and went 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in eight starts with the Yankees. He didn’t pitch after Sept. 16 due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder.
Montas left a July 3 start at Seattle after 13 pitches with shoulder tightness. He returned July 21 and had a 2.25 ERA in starts against Detroit and Houston.
New York lefthander Nestor Cortes has thrown twice off a mound since being sidelined by a strained right hamstring and is nearing his first simulated game.
Beltrán won’t talk on Astros scandal
Carlos Beltrán refused to discuss his role in the Houston Astros cheating scandal, preferring to concentrate on his new role with the New York Mets.
“Today’s not about the Astros,” Beltrán said Wednesday.
“Today is about the Mets.”
Beltrán was hired by the Mets on Nov. 1, 2019, to replace Mickey Callaway as manager. But the team announced Beltrán’s departure the following Jan. 16 without him managing a game.
Beltrán’s departure was announced three days after he was the only Astros player mentioned by name in MLB’s report that concluded that Houston broke
rules by using electronics to steal signs en route to the 2017 World Series title.
“I felt like that was a moment that needed to happen and I moved on,” Beltrán said.
He joined the Mets last week as a special assistant to general manager Billy Eppler. Beltrán said he didn’t expect to return.
“No chance,” Beltrán said. “No clue. That’s how the world goes around. … When this opportunity came, it was a no-brainer to say yes.”
McCullers is out with muscle strain
Houston Astros righthander Lance McCullers Jr. says he will miss opening day for the World Series champions because of a strained muscle in his pitching arm.
McCullers, sidelined for the first 4½ months of last season while rehabbing from a right flexor pronator strain, noticed soreness after a bullpen session last week.
He had an MRI on Tuesday night. He told reporters Wednesday that it showed no structural damage to his elbow but will delay his start.
“I’ve been a little bit upset,” the 29-year-old said. “I was really looking forward to a great start to the camp and a great start to the season.”
McCullers described the injury as a “small muscle strain.”
“It will set me back a little bit, but it shouldn’t be anything like last year,” he said.
Rays give Gamel minor league deal
Free agent outfielder Ben Gamel has agreed to a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team had not announced the agreement, which was pending completion of a physical.
Gamel, who turns 31 on May 17, will be given a chance to compete for a spot on the major league roster in spring training.
He hit .232 with nine home runs and 46 RBIs in 115 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022.