The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Montero wears out welcome
Veteran catcher blamed pitcher for seven stolen bases.
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.
The Chicago Cubs cut ties with Miguel Montero on Wednesday after the veteran catcher blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases in Tuesday’s loss to the Washington Nationals.
Montero, who turns 34 on July 9, was designated for assignment, and the World Series champions recalled catcher Victor Caratini from Triple-A Iowa. Montero is batting .286 with four homers and eight RBIs in 44 games.
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and manager Joe Maddon spoke Tuesday after hearing of Montero’s comments.
“It was pretty straightforward,” Maddon said of the decision to cut Montero. “I talked to Theo last night. We both were in agreement it was the right thing to do.”
Montero posted a series of tweets Wednesday saying goodbye to fans and the city of Chicago. “It was an honor to play for the Chicago Cubs organization,” he posted. “Chicago will always be in my heart.”
Montero also apologized to Arrieta, who won the NL Cy Young Award in 2015.
“I love Miggy,” Arrieta said Wednesday.
Still, the meltdown Tuesday night was unusually strong: Montero unloaded on Arrieta, saying the Nationals ran on the right-hander because they knew he was slow to the plate with his delivery.
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said on WMVP-AM radio that Montero’s comments were unprofessional.
“We win as a team, we lose as a team,” Rizzo said. “If you start pointing fingers, I think that just labels you as a selfish player.”
Giants: Closer Mark Melancon was placed on the 10-day disabled list for a second time this season with a sore forearm. Melancon, who signed a $62 million, fouryear contract in the offseason, is 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA and 11 saves in 15 chances.
Mets: Right-hander Robert Gsellman was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Gsellman is the sixth Mets starting pitcher to go on the DL this season. Infielder Matt Reynolds also was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Yankees: Designated hitter Matt Holliday joined Starlin Castro, Aaron Hicks and Greg Bird on the disabled list with a viral infection. Manager Joe Girardi said doctors ruled out mononucleosis.
Brewers: Starting pitcher Chase Anderson struck out in the top of the second inning Wednesday night, grabbed his left side and left the game with an injured oblique. Anderson is second on the staff with six wins. He was replaced by Paolo Espino.
Indians: Terry Francona was cleared to manage Wednesday’s game against Texas. Francona, 58, was fitted with a heart monitor, but he said doctors have ruled out any serious health issues.
Dodgers: Left-hander Julio Urias had left shoulder surgery and is expected to miss 12 to 14 months.
Mariners: Left-hander Drew Smyly needs Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Smyly had been out since spring training with a flexor strain in his pitching arm, but Seattle was hopeful of getting him back after the All-Star break. Recovery time is 12 to 15 months.
Blue Jays: Outfielder Michael Saunders signed a minor league contract and reported to Triple-A Buffalo. Saunders, a former Blue Jay, signed a one-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia in January but was let go this month after batting .205 with six homers and 20 RBIs in 61 games.
Rays: 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.