Reds’ Frankie Montas (forearm) departs after three batters

Cincinnati Reds starter Frankie Montas was eliminated three batters into Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels after he was hit in the proper forearm by a line drive from Taylor Ward.

Montas, 31, was met on the mound by the Reds coaching workers and left the sport in apparent discomfort whereas holding his pitching arm in opposition to his physique. X-rays have been detrimental and Montas was identified with a forearm bruise.

Montas tracked the ball that hit him down and threw Ward out at first earlier than leaving with the coach.

“I was going to make the play regardless. I told myself get him out,” Montas stated. “I couldn’t feel my hand, nothing. It swelled up right away.

The ball was clocked at 101 mph.

Left-hander Brent Suter replaced Montas and allowed four hits in 3⅓ scoreless innings. The Reds’ bullpen went on to complete a shutout with Emilio Pagan (2-1) earning the win in a 3-0 victory after allowing one hit in two innings.

Five Reds relievers pitched 8⅓ innings and allowed just six singles. The Reds infield turned in two double plays, including a stellar stop by Jeimer Candelario at third base.

“It was a day of simply stepping up and serving to one another out,” Reds manager David Bell said. “As quickly because it occurred to Frankie, we stated what can we do to get this carried out. We noticed it as a problem. It was a tremendous job by the bullpen.”

It is the second time in three seasons Montas has left a game early against the Angels. In a 2022 outing, as a member of the Oakland Athletics, he was hit on the right hand by a comebacker from the Angels’ Luis Rengifo.

Montas entered Sunday 2-2 with a 4.34 ERA in four starts. The veteran is in his first season with the Reds after previously pitching for the Chicago White Sox, A’s and New York Yankees. He is 39-37 in 134 profession appearances (103 begins) over 9 seasons with a 3.91 ERA.

Field Level Media and The Associated Press contributed to this report.