Newcomer Montas named Reds’ Opening Day starter

Frankie Montas strikes out a pair in spring debut

The Cincinnati Reds will begin a fresh season with the new guy.

Acquisition of free agentsManager David Bell announced on Sunday that Frankie Montas will start on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park on March 28 against the Nationals. For the right-hander Montas, who worked on Opening Day assignments for the A’s in 2020 and 2022, it will be his third Opening Day assignment in the previous five years, though it is undoubtedly his first for the Reds.

On March 30, Hunter Greene, who was the other clear choice for the opportunity, will get the start in the season’s opening game.

Bell stated, “It’s a tough decision.” “Just one person may pitch. In his career, Frankie has accomplished a few things. simply due to his background and level of achievement. It’s a difficult decision. Of course, all of our folks in Cincinnati take great pride in Opening Day. That is well acknowledged. However, game two will be equally crucial.

After the Reds defeated the Guardians 5-3 in the Cactus League, Bell made the news; by then, Montas was unavailable to speak with reporters.

The Reds signed Montas, who will be 31 next week, to a $16 million guaranteed contract for one season, hoping to provide some seasoned consistency to their rotation that is still mostly inexperienced. After a challenging stint with the Yankees, it is hoped that he can rebound in Cincinnati, much as Sonny Gray did in 2019.

Frankie Montas on his Reds deal

In his eight big-league seasons, Montas is 37-35 with a 3.90 ERA and 105 ERA+ in 130 appearances, 99 of which are starts. Before being traded to the Yankees in the middle of the season, he had a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts for Oakland in 2022, and he placed sixth in the AL Cy Young vote in 2021 while with the A’s.

With a 6.15 ERA in nine appearances and 41 innings in 2022–23, Montas had a terrible stint in the Bronx due to shoulder issues that eventually needed surgery. Of those innings pitched last year, he only pitched 1 1/3.

The Reds took a chance on Montas’s comeback, and they also hope that Greene, with his electrifying right arm, can live up to his potential following a 2023 year in which he made 22 starts due to a hip injury and recorded a 4.82 ERA and 95 ERA+.

Frankie Montas breaks down his second spring start

Bell stated, “Hunter might spend a lot of time outside on Opening Day, even at his young age.”

However, Bell is impressed by Montas, who arrived to camp eager to seize his newfound opportunity.

Bell commented, “Frankie did a great job coming in ready for camp.” “With his degree of preparation upon arrival, he certainly made an impression.” Undoubtedly, the Opening Day job was an honor for him. He’s already established himself as a key member of our group, and I believe he understands that he’s in a different stage of his career and can contribute greatly to our other pitchers.

Since 2004, Anthony Castrovince has worked as a reporter for MLB.com.