Yankees could get Jordan Montgomery back in September

Despite being an MLB-best 47-20 since June 15, the Yankees are still waiting for reinforcements to arrive from the IL. One such player that is currently on a minor league rehab assignment is pitcher Jordan Montgomery.

Out since last June after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery made his return to a professional mound on Sunday.

Pitching for High-A Tampa, the 26-year-old Montgomery started the contest against Lakeland and tossed two scoreless innings, striking out two without allowing a hit or walk across 19 pitches — 13 of which were for strikes.

Montgomery will make his next scheduled rehab start on Friday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Although there is no timetable set for his return to the big league team, with rosters set to expand and the minor league season drawing to a close, should Monty prove fully fit, there’s no reason not to expect him back in the Bronx by mid-September at the latest.

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Even if the South Carolina alum were to aid the Yanks out of the bullpen, having another capable lefty, able to throw two or more innings would be a massive boost for the postseason push and beyond.

However, before then, manager Aaron Boone told Greg Joyce of the New York Post that Montgomery needs to prove he’s all the way back.

"“The biggest thing with Monty, obviously with Tommy John is making sure he’s fully back and healthy and in a good place heading into next year,” Boone said recently. “That said, he has been ramping up and really doing well.”"

As he further steadies his five-pitch repertoire, there’s little doubt Montgomery would be an asset to an inconsistent Yankee starting rotation — what, with his usual high ground ball rate, low exit velocity and ability to limit the longball.

But for the time being, asking for 80-100 pitches per outing simply isn’t feasible.

After all, it was just this past June that Monty suffered a slight speed bump in his year-long recovery, as he was shut down for two weeks after an MRI revealed shoulder inflammation.

In 35 career starts (182.2 innings), Montgomery has gone 11-7 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.248 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.

Despite being an MLB-best 47-20 since June 15, the Yankees are still waiting for reinforcements to arrive from the IL. One such player that is currently on a minor league rehab assignment is pitcher Jordan Montgomery.

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