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The Milwaukee Brewers reportedly made a move to fortify their starting rotation on Monday.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Brewers acquired starting pitcher Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds will receive outfielder Joey Wiemer and pitcher Jakob Junis in return, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
There had been previous buzz that Montas was drawing interest from the Baltimore Orioles, but now he’s staying in the Midwest.
Montas joined the Reds on a one-year deal worth $14 million with a $20 million mutual option for the 2025 season. However, the veteran right-hander has struggled throughout this year with a 4-8 record in 19 starts while posting a 5.01 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 93.1 innings pitched.
Montas underwent shoulder surgery in February 2023 that cost him virtually all of last season. He appears to still be working his way back to form, but the Brewers appear to be confident that he will be a worthy acquisition.
Milwaukee leads the NL Central with a 60-45 record. The team has been trying to overcome a string of injuries on its pitching staff, as starters Joe Ross (back) and DL Hall (knee) are both on the 60-day injured list. Reliever Trevor Megil, who was the team’s primary closer in the absence of two-time All-Star Devin Williams, was placed on the 15-day IL on Monday with a back injury. Williams made his season debut on Sunday after dealing with a back injury of his own.
The Brewers are hoping that Montas will provide depth as their other pitchers continue to recover ahead of the chase for the playoffs.
