Jordan Montgomery figures to be the only lefty in the Yankees’ starting rotation come Opening Day, and the 28-year-old has been keeping some prestigious company among other Yankee southpaws.
Montgomery, who made his spring training debut on Tuesday and allowed one run on two hits over two innings of work, has at least two recognizable fans in his corner as he looks to make an impact in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte, two of the most successful lefties in franchise history, have kept in touch with Montgomery to offer their support as Montgomery looks to get back to the success he enjoyed as a rookie in 2017.
“Having the Yankees say what they’re saying, and getting a random text from Andy Pettitte and CC and just checking in on me,” Montgomery said of the support he’s received from the team so far. “Obviously they believe in me too. They’ve always told me I’m going to be pitching here for a long time and that I’ll just keep getting better year by year.”
Montgomery has often been compared to Pettitte, who now has his number hanging in Monument Park after winning five World Series with the Yanks. Pettitte, who received some recent support in terms of Hall of Fame votes, sees Montgomery as a potentially superior pitcher in certain areas, which is another vote of confidence as Montgomery looks to solidify a spot in the rotation.
“Pettitte’s always told me…about how much better my fastball is than his, and how I should just throw it and attack guys,” Montgomery said. “Just to go out there and have fun and attack guys.”
Montgomery struggled through parts of 2020, his first season back after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He threw 44.0 innings and allowed 48 hits while compiling a 5.11 ERA, but he showed his potential when it mattered most, allowing one run over four innings in the ALDS against the Rays when the season was on the line in game four.
A start that would have made Sabathia and Pettitte proud, and one Montgomery hopes to build on in 2021.
“I’m just trying to keep learning and adjusting and never really peak,” Montgomery said. “I’ve been trying to really grow as a pitcher, learn analytics and stuff like that and soak in as much information from the guys as I can.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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