Montas was viewed as the top available pitcher at the deadline and the big boost the Yankees needed for their playoff push in 2022. Things didn’t go according to plan, however, as Montas battled shoulder injuries and only made eight starts for the Yankees. In those eight starts, he had a 1-3 record with a 6.35 ERA.
He was left off the initial postseason roster, missing the AL Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. He found his way onto the roster for the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.
In his only playoff appearance, he pitched one inning allowing one homerun and also striking out one batter.
He was viewed as a big piece of their starting rotation going into the 2023 season as he looked to bounce back to the form he had in Oakland.
While the off-season signing of Carlos Rodon, who placed sixth in last year’s National League Cy Young voting, will help soften the blow,
the Yankees will now have to look at internal options like Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt or turn their focus to replacing Montas with someone outside the organization for 2023.
While Montas could very well find himself pitching again this season, shoulder surgeries are usually not something you rush back from.
An unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season, Montas could end up having a short-lived career in pinstripes that was a disappointment for both sides.
