Cincinnati Reds pitcher Frankie Montas took a hard hit from a 101 MPH line drive to his pitching arm courtesy of Taylor Ward during the first inning on Sunday. Despite managing to make the play and get Ward out at first base, Montas left the game after receiving attention from the training staff. Walking off the field, he kept his right arm still at a 90° angle, showing signs of discomfort.
As of now, there’s no update on Montas’s condition. With his potential absence, the Reds face the challenge of reshuffling their pitching strategy, particularly with Nick Martinez, their reliable long reliever, having already pitched extensively the day before. Complicating matters, the team doesn’t have a day off for another 11 days, meaning they’ll need other starters to step up and cover innings to ease the burden on the bullpen.
Should Montas be sidelined, Martinez might return to the rotation, sparing the Reds from calling up a minor league pitcher. However, this adjustment would leave a gap in the bullpen that needs filling. The situation hinges on Montas’s diagnosis, but it could trigger a series of changes within the pitching staff.