As the Yankees come off their underwhelming road trip and prepare to face the first place Red Sox, Jordan Montgomery is set to pitch in place of C.C. Sabathia on Sunday.
Remember a few days ago when, in order to avoid a six man rotational conundrum, the New York Yankees demoted rookie Jordan Montgomery to Triple-A Scranton? Remember how audibly disappointed fans were at the decision, overusing the word “unfair” as if we were talking about an obituary? Remember that?
Well, just as was the case with what to do with Clint Frazier upon Aaron Hicks‘ return, these things have a way to work themselves out.
According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Manager Joe Girardi announced that Montgomery would be taking the place of the recently injured CC Sabathia and start Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.
Joe Girardi indicates that he expects Jordan Montgomery to start Sunday vs. Boston in place of CC Sabathia.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 10, 2017
Sabathia tweaked his right knee during the third inning of his start on Tuesday, forcing the lefty to head back to New York for an MRI. Fortunately, the MRI came back clean, revealing no new structural damage to his right knee. While it is uncertain if a trip to the disabled list is necessary for the big southpaw, the Yankees’ brass is certain that CC will miss at least this Sunday’s start in the Bronx.
Enter Montgomery. Not only has the rookie lefty pitched to the tune of a 7-6 record with a 4.05 ERA in his first full season as a big leaguer, but he may have saved the best for last. JoMo was lights out against Cleveland last Saturday, tossing five innings of three-hit ball, allowing just one earned run while fanning seven.
The primary reason for his demotion was to minimize his innings. The Yankees have a 180 innings limit on his left arm, as Montgomery’s never thrown more than 160 frames in a single season.
As long as Sabathia is sidelined, the Yankees may have no choice but to forget about Montgomery’s innings limit.
Walker In Pinstripes?
It’s been well documented that the New York Yankees and the New York Mets rarely get together to make any sort of trades, with an underlining fear that one team is reluctant to aid their cross-town rivals in their respective hunt for a championship.
Just a few days ago, outfielder Jay Bruce was moved from Flushing to Cleveland in exchange for a fringe pitching prospect. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees were very much in on the Bruce talks but were unwilling to take on all of his remaining salary.
Source: #Yankees offered multiple prospects and to take on soe of Bruce $, thought deal was possible, #Mets went another way
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 10, 2017
First, there was no deal for Lucas Duda to the Yanks, which would have made altogether way too much sense. And now Bruce. However, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman, the Bombers may have an interest in trying to make a deal for a third Met: Neil Walker.
Mike Puma of the New York Post (and others) reported the Yankees and Mets had a potential July 31 Walker deal fizzle out due to medicals.
As others have said, the Mets had a deal with the Yankees killed on July 31 for Neil Walker because of medicals.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) August 10, 2017
But with Starlin Castro struggling to get back from a hamstring injury and how inept the offense as a whole has looked, these two teams might just have to put aside their petty differences and do something that would benefit both Big Apple ballclubs.
Although he’s struggled since being activated from the disabled list on July 28, the switch-hitting Walker has managed a solid .261/.334/.441 line with 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 72 games this season with the Mets. The former All-Star has spent the majority of his career at second base but does have big league experience at third base as well.
Whether or not Castro returns as the same player he was prior to the injury, Walker would be a massive upgrade to both the field and the lineup. Hey guys, let’s make this happen.
That’s all from Yankee Universe for now. But, be sure to stay tuned in right here at Elite Sports NY for all of your New York Yankees news and updates.
