Despite a rough outing on Tuesday, the Oakland A’s are not worrying about Frankie Montas’ health just yet.
In a perfect world, Frankie Montas would have put any questions about his health to rest on Tuesday. He had been scratched from his outing on Friday due to tightness in his upper back, missing just the one outing before returning to the mound. It should have been an evening to put any concerns to rest.
Instead, Montas imploded. He lasted for all of five outs, allowing nine runs on six hits and four walks. Montas struggled with his mechanics, throwing some pitches in the dirt and hanging others, with whatever he threw in the strike zone being hit hard.
For his part, Montas said that he felt fine during and after the outing, that he just didn’t have anything on Tuesday. Manager Bob Melvin echoed that lack of concern, chalking up the rough outing to rust.
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It is certainly possible that this is the case. Montas had ten days between outings, with just his bullpen session on Sunday. He said that he felt fine during that session as well, without any concerns regarding his back and neck. Bad starts do happen, and that is all this may be – one bad start over the course of the season.
But it is the timing that makes this notable. Had Montas made his start on Friday, there would not be any reason for concern. But now, there is that sliver of doubt. No matter what Montas and Melvin may be saying, questions about his health will be there, especially given his struggles on Tuesday.
In the end, this concern could be entirely for naught. Montas could take the ball in his next start and dominate, looking like the pitcher he had been when he was named the American League Player of the Week. That is certainly the hope moving forward.
Frankie Montas and the Oakland A’s say that he is healthy and there is nothing to worry about. His next outing will go a long way towards proving that statement.