PITTSBURGH -- Dodgers pitcher Frankie Montas, who already missed four months after rib surgery, has a defect in another rib and is undergoing tests to determine if surgery is required.
The hard-throwing Montas, acquired in an offseason trade with the White Sox, underwent surgery to remove a rib just before the start of Spring Training. Earlier this month the club said he had recovered and, when done with a Minor League rehab assignment, was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Last week, Montas, the Dodgers' No. 4 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, was placed on the Minor League disabled list with irritation in the area of the operation which, apparently, turned out to be another rib fracture.
"It's part of what he had before, similar, probably the same thing," said manager Dave Roberts. "We'll do more testing to determine if surgery is needed. Don't know about his return. I know I'm disappointed, but don't know the extent of it. We were trying to build him up as far as being a starter and getting here, but obviously that's got to be amended."
The Dodgers had hoped Montas could provide reinforcement for their depleted starting rotation and was under consideration to start Friday night.