Yankees' Jordan Montgomery strikes out three, walks one in two scoreless innings
Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws live batting practice at spring training in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
TAMPA, Fla. — Jordan Montgomery is an overwhelming favorite to emerge from a crowded spring training competition to capture a rotation spot.
But the lefthander will have to earn it, and he got off to a good start Monday night. After replacing Gerrit Cole, he struck out three and walked one in two scoreless innings against the Pirates.
“Been excited just to have a real spring training,” Montgomery said. “Really worked hard this offseason to get my arm strong and have my body ready.”
He was especially pleased to see his fastball reach 94 mph. “That’s the first time I’ve hit 94 in a while,” he said. “Feel good about my arm strength and my mechanics, and they’re only going to get cleaner.”
Montgomery finished sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2017 but missed significant portions of 2018 and ’19 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Judge hits, throws again
Aaron Judge, a bit behind his teammates in camp because of soreness in his right shoulder that flared up a little over two weeks ago, hit indoors and played long toss up to 90 feet Monday. He started both of those activities late last week after being significantly limited the first three days of camp.
“He’s doing well,” Aaron Boone said.
Extra bases
Cole initially was supposed to face Chris Archer on Monday, but the latter was scratched because of neck tightness . . . Boone said Giancarlo Stanton, who made his exhibition debut Monday night at DH, is likely to start in leftfield Wednesday . . . Miguel Andujar will start at third Tuesday and see time in the outfield Wednesday or Thursday.
