As if the Yankees didn’t have enough mounting pitching injuries, Jordan Montgomery was struck in the right side of the head by a batted ball while signing autographs down the right-field line during batting practice before Saturday’s 10-5 loss to Boston.
The rookie lefty remains scheduled to start in place of injured CC Sabathia in Sunday night’s series finale against the Red Sox, Joe Girardi said after the game. Masahiro Tanaka also was placed on the disabled list earlier in the day with right shoulder inflammation.
“I guess he was signing autographs during their BP and he got hit in the ear,” Girardi said. “His ear was bleeding. He went through tests with the doctors. We expect him to make his start tomorrow. But his ear’s got a cut.”
Montgomery, who called the incident “a freak accident,” went through concussion protocol in which the medical staff “asked me a bunch of questions and did all the eye stuff.” He also said he didn’t require stitches.
“I was behind the net, it was a one-in-a-million chance it curves over it like that, so whatever,” Montgomery added. “I’m fine…It’s not like I got hit in the arm or anything.”
Montgomery was struck after a ball looped over a temporary screen down the right-field line. He was helped to the dugout and remained there for several minutes while pressing a towel to his head, before going into the clubhouse to be checked out. The ball that clipped Montgomery was hit by Boston’s Sandy Leon, according to the YES Network.
“He went through it with our (medical) people and they feel that he’s fine,” Girardi said. “I saw him after, inside, and he seemed fine. We’ll check him (Sunday) and if he’s not fine we’ll have to figure it out.”
NO MORE RISING
Aaron Judge’s numbers continue to plummet with two more strikeouts amid an 0-for-4 showing, dropping his average to .161 since the All-Star break with 43 strikeouts, including at least one in 29 consecutive games.
Girardi gave Judge a game off last week in Cleveland, and sounded like he’s considering doing it again soon if his slump lingers, possibly even Sunday night against Boston ace Chris Sale.
“It’s something I can definitely think about,” Girardi said. “We’re trying to get him back on track, but it’s been a struggle. There’s no doubt about it the second half, but it’s definitely something I’ll think about.”
SEVVY WORKLOAD?
Emerging ace Luis Severino coughed up a career-high 10 runs after allowing one run or fewer in winning each of his previous four outings. But Girardi isn’t yet concerned over the All-Star righty’s innings total, which stands at 143.
“I think if he put like three or four back-to-back like that, then you wonder. Every starter has a bad day,” Girardi said. “Right now, I don’t see a lack of velocity. He just didn’t have good stuff today and wasn’t as sharp as he’s been.”
Added Severino: “I think I was trying to pitch too perfect, but I made some mistakes…This is just a bad day.”
