Bad news, folks.
After a perfect first inning in tonight’s game against the Astros, Jordan Montgomery was taken out by manager Aaron Boone. Montgomery threw just seven pitches and seemed in control of the game early, but did seem to show discomfort after throwing his final pitch—a flyout from Carlos Correa.
It’s unclear what troubled Monty in the immediate aftermath, although he did visibly flinch in his follow through to Correa, and was seen shaking his left arm out while walking off the field. All commentators on YES noted that flexing or shaking his arm isn’t a new thing for Monty after an at-bat, but the body language and immediate bullpen action signaled something more concerning. Domingo German took over for the second after warming up hastily.
Montgomery was officially removed from tonight’s game with left elbow tightness. Needless to say, this is really bad.
Jordan Montgomery left tonight's game with left elbow tightness. He will return to NYC tomorrow & will see Dr. Chris Ahmad.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 2, 2018
Elbow problems plague young pitchers, of course, and at first glance it appears this could be a serious injury for him. Should he miss significant time, the Yankees would be strapped for options as Luis Cessa is himself on the disabled list with an oblique strain and top pitching prospect Chance Adams has been lackluster early in Scranton’s AAA season.
German looked good in his one inning of work against the Astros, but it looks like tonight will require length from the bullpen. German is effectively the team’s sixth starter but isn’t exactly stretched out.