47 Frankie Montas SP

Montas allowed two unearned runs across 5.2 innings over three Cactus League starts before spring training was suspended.

The hard-throwing right-hander didn't allow that pair of runs until his third and final appearance of spring, which came against the Brewers on March 8. Although he naturally didn't get fully stretched out due to the abrupt interruption in play, Montas will presumably have a chance to do so during any ramp-up period to the 2020 season. He's expected to slide into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Sean Manaea to start the season, although he arguably generated an ace-quality performance during a 2019 campaign in which he lost 80 games due to a PED suspension.

Montas reverted to occasionally trying out a quick pitch during his third Cactus League start, Sunday versus the Brewers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander deployed the tactic frequently during a rough 2017 season, when he bounced between the Athletics and Triple-A Nashville and was hit hard in both locales. Montas is an exponentially better pitcher these days, so he's likely to use the strategy only on occasion when he wants to add an element of surprise. Montas allowed two unearned runs on four hits across 2.2 innings against Milwaukee, a so-so performance coming off two strong starts to begin the spring. "My fastball was coming out good," Montas said. "I was just trying to get ready for the season."

Montas started Monday's Cactus League win over the Cubs and fired two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and one walk while also hitting a batter. He struck out two.

On the heels of firing a perfect frame in his spring debut last Wednesday, Montas put together another mostly dominant outing over 32 pitches versus a Cubs lineup that was notably missing both Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. The right-hander got some good work in, however, and Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports the control issues that led to the free pass and hit batsman could have been due to some of the experimentation Montas was doing with his pitch selection. "He was working on his splitter and slider," manager Bob Melvin said. "Got a little out of whack for a minute. He's usually quite the strike-thrower. But he ended up finding it again."

Montas started Wednesday's Cactus League win over the Diamondbacks and fired a perfect first inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

Montas needed just 15 pitches to get through his one frame, nine of which found the strike zone. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports the right-hander hit 99 mph with his fastball and looked sharp after pitching 25 innings in the Dominican Winter League and generating a 1.44 ERA. Montas felt the extra offseason work was necessary after he missed 80 games in 2019 due to a PED suspension, and he's already made an early impression on manager Bob Melvin with how prepared he arrived in camp. "We're looking for him to replicate what he did last year and what he did in the start he had late in the season after sitting out for so long," Melvin said. "He's eager to contribute to his team for a full season. He wants to be one of the high-end starters we have."

Montas, who's coming off a career-best season in 2019, was impressive while facing live hitters for the first time Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander could be poised for his best year yet in 2020 if he can remain healthy, and Thursday's strong showing was certainly an excellent first step. Montas was subject to an 80-game suspension for violating MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program last season, but he still managed career bests in wins (nine), ERA (2.63), WHIP (1.11) and strikeouts (103) across 16 starts. Given his mid-90s fastball and body of work in 2019, Montas could ultimately prove to be the ace of the staff this season if he manages to stay on the field.

Montas will be available out of the bullpen during Oakland's weekend series against Seattle, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Montas fired six innings Wednesday against the Angels, but skipper Bob Melvin noted Thursday that the right-hander will be ready to go in relief if needed. He'll aim to help Oakland lock up a postseason berth over the weekend with four contests remaining in the regular season, though he's not eligible to pitch if the A's do make the playoffs.

Montas gave up one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six through six innings in a no-decision agains the Angels on Wednesday.

In his return from an 80-game suspension, Montas allowed a solo home run in the second inning but fired four scoreless frames to register the quality start. The 26-year-old seemed to show no rust, providing optimism for 2020 with a fine performance. Montas finishes the season with a 9-2 record with a 2.63 ERA and 103 strikeouts through 96 innings.

Montas will start Wednesday's game against the Angels, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

This is the first day he is eligible to return from suspension, and the A's will waste no time handing him the ball. The team wanted to keep him working as a starter given the success he had in the role earlier this year. He is fully stretched out and obviously well rested. Montas is ineligible to pitch in the postseason.

Montas (suspension) is eligible to return for Wednesday's game against the Angels, although there's no definitive word on his projected usage over the final five games of the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Manager Bob Melvin unsurprisingly offered nothing in the way of a framework for how the right-hander might be deployed after 80 games away from the team. However, it's worth noting Montas has been on a normal throwing schedule recently at the team's minor-league complex in Arizona, and his arm is currently stretched out to approximately a 100-pitch workload. That potentially puts Montas in play as a multi-inning relief asset for Melvin, but it also leaves open the option of a spot start if the Athletics are able to clinch a playoff spot before the final day of the regular season and want to hold one of current co-aces Sean Manaea and Mike Fiers back for a Wild Card Game start.

Montas (suspension) threw 90 pitches at the A's spring training complex Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He apparently looked great in Oakland during a recent workout, but it remains to be seen whether he will return as a starter or reliever. Clearly he is building back up to return as a starter if necessary, but the A's already have seven starting pitchers on the active roster. Montas will be eligible to return Sept. 25.

Montas (suspension) has been working out at the Athletics' spring training facility in Arizona since late July and is preparing to return to the major-league roster Sept. 25 when first eligible, Athletics radio play-by-play broadcaster Vince Cotroneo reports.

As his 80-game suspension nears its end, Montas will be able to return to action in the minors beginning Sept. 10, with general manager David Forst already indicating the right-hander would pitch in games if any of the organization's affiliates are still competing in the postseason. If not, Montas will gear up for a return to the big leagues by pitching in simulated games before the Athletics formally reinstate him. Since he hasn't pitched at any level since June 20, Montas probably won't have sufficient time to stretch out for a starting role, but he should provide a boost to the Oakland bullpen for the final five games of the regular season. Since the suspension kept Montas off the 40-man roster beyond Aug. 31, he won't be eligible to pitch in the playoffs should the Athletics qualify.

Montas was handed an 80-game suspension Friday after testing positive for PEDs, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

This is a huge blow for the Athletics, as Montas has undeniably been their top starter so far this year. He's posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with a 97:21 K:BB across 90 innings, but he won't be eligible to return until the last week of the regular season in September -- and given how long it'll be since he pitched at that point, Montas likely won't be seen on a mound again until 2020.

Montas recorded nine strikeouts and allowed just one earned run on four hits across eight innings against the Rays on Thursday, but he did not factor into the decision.

The right-hander undeniably deserved his 10th win of the season going by his numbers, but the Athletics weren't able to break through for a memorable comeback win until the bottom of the ninth inning. Montas nevertheless continued to delight fantasy owners with another dominant performance, one in which he notched a whopping 17 swinging strikes over his efficient 93 pitches. The 26-year-old has truly hit his stride over his four June starts, not allowing more than two earned runs in any of them while recording at least nine strikeouts in three consecutive outings. Thursday's no-decision snapped a three-start winning streak for Montas, but he still hasn't been hit with a loss since April 29, a span of nine trips to the mound. He'll look to get back on the victory train against the Cardinals either next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Montas (9-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 11-2 romp over the Mariners, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out nine.

The A's put up three runs in the first inning and Montas never looked back, recording his third straight quality start and 10th of the year while winning his fifth straight decision. The right-hander will carry a 2.85 ERA and 88:21 K:BB through 82 innings into his next outing Thursday, at home against the Rays.

Montas (8-2) yielded three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk in six innings Sunday, fanning 10 batters and taking the victory over Texas.

Montas was gifted an 8-0 lead through four innings and took full advantage. His 10 strikeouts tied a career high that he set last month. The 26-year-old is enjoying a breakout campaign with a 2.84 ERA and a 79:20 K:BB across 76 innings this season. Montas will face the Mariners at home Saturday.

Montas (7-2) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings while striking out three in a 4-2 victory over the Angels.

The right-hander was in fine form as he delivered his eighth quality start of the season, keeping the Angels off the board for five innings until Shohei Ohtani took him deep in the sixth. Montas hasn't suffered a loss since late April, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB over his last 36.2 innings. He'll look to keep rolling on the road against the Rangers in his next start Sunday.

Montas allowed four runs on four hits and five walks in four innings while striking out five and taking a no-decision in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Angels.

Montas was uncharacteristically wild, with the five walks a season high through 11 starts. It was also his shortest start of the season. Montas has a 2.81 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 66 strikeouts in 64 innings. He takes a 6-2 record into next Tuesday's rematch with the Angels in Anaheim.

Montas (6-2) threw six shutout innings with nine strikeouts, allowing five hits and two walks to earn a victory against the Indians on Wednesday.

For the fifth straight start, Montas has dropped his season ERA, which is an incredible feat considering it sat at 3.10 just five outings ago. During this stretch, Montas did allow seven runs against the Red Sox on April 29, but six of them were unearned. Therefore, over his last 31 innings, he's yielded only six earned runs. He's also struck out 26 hitters in the last 20.2 frames. Overall, Montas is 6-2 with a 2.40 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 60 innings this season. He will make his next start against the Angels on Tuesday.

Montas (5-2) picked up the win in Friday's 7-2 victory over the Tigers, allowing two runs on four hits over 8.2 innings while striking out a career-high 10.

The right-hander was closing in on his first career complete game, but Miguel Cabrera's second double of the night brought home a run in the ninth and sent Montas to the showers after 109 pitches (73 strikes). He'll take a 2.67 ERA and outstanding 52:11 K:BB through 54 innings into his next outing Wednesday in Cleveland.

Montas didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 extra-innings win over Cleveland, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings while striking out a season-high seven.

The 26-year-old continues to put together a breakout campaign for Oakland. Montas has delivered five quality starts in eight trips to the mound, and he'll carry a 2.78 ERA and sharp 42:11 K:BB through 45.1 innings into his next outing Friday in Detroit.