The Royals’ rotation took another hit Tuesday when the team placed pitcher Mike Montgomery and reliever Foster Griffin on the 10-day Injured List. To replace the two pitchers on the list, the Royals added pitcher Jake Newberry and outfielder Nick Heath to the active roster.
Montgomery lasted just two innings in his start against the Tigers on Monday, giving up five runs, including a home run. The 31-year-old left-hander had struggled on his last outing and Fangraphs had lowered his fastball significantly in his start against the Tigers, with an average speed of 88 mph. According to MLB.com reporter Jeffrey Flanagan, Montgomery has a lat strain. The Royals acquired Montgomery last summer in an exchange with the Cubs for catcher Martín Maldonado.
Griffin was relieved Monday to make his MLB debut, on his birthday, no less, and released 1 two⁄3 scoreless entries to collect victory. However, he left the game with a strain on his left forearm. The 25-year-old former first-round pick had a 5.23 ERA in 130 2/3 innings for Triple-A Omaha in the happy Pacific Coast League.
Foster Griffin gets excited after leaving his major league debut with a strain on his forearm: “Day 1, this happens: I’ve been healthy my entire career. It wasn’t easy.” #Royals pic.twitter.com/iuQIYVvC5T
– FOX Sports Kansas City (@FSKansasCity) July 28, 2020
Jake Newberry has a 4.06 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 25 walks in 44 one⁄3 innings in the last two seasons with the Royals. The 25-year-old right-hander ended strong last year, with a 3.00 ERA in his last 16 starts, although he walked 13 batters in 15 innings.
Outfielder Nick Heath is a sprinter who graduated from Junction City High School in Kansas before going to Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where he was drafted in the 16th round of the 2016 draft by the Royals. He led all minor league players on stolen bases last year with 60, hitting .255 / .345 / .387 with 8 home runs and 36 RBIs in Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. Heath is 26 years old and a left-handed bat.
Montgomery’s loss leaves Danny Duffy and Brady Singer as the only confirmed starters in the rotation. Brad Keller and Jakob Junis are out for 2-3 weeks as they prepare for the season, after missing summer camp due to positive evidence from COVID-19.
The Royals started right-hander Ronald Bolaños in a short two-inning start on Sunday, and manager Mike Matheny indicated he would like to stretch him for a longer start. Kyle Zimmer will start in Detroit tonight, the first of his MLB career. Other candidates to complete the rotation could include Jorge López, Glenn Sparkman or a bullpen game. The Royals did sign pitcher Matt Harvey for a minor league contract today, but it will take him a while to prepare for the season.
