Right-hander Hunter Greene will start Game No. 2.
“It’s a tough decision,” Bell told MLB.com. “Only one guy can pitch. Frankie’s done some things in his career. Just because of his experience and how much success he’s had. It’s a tough call. Obviously, Opening Day in Cincinnati is really important to all of our guys. That’s acknowledged, 100 percent. But game two will be just as important.”
The Reds signed Montas, 30, to a $16 million, one-year contract in December. He is 37-35 with a 3.90 ERA in 99 starts and 31 relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox (2015), Oakland (2017-22) and the New York Yankees (2022-23).
Montas had labrum surgery on Feb. 21, 2023, and made only one appearance in the big leagues last season for the Yankees on Sept. 30. He also made two starts at Triple-A and had a 3.00 ERA in three innings.
Montas will be the fifth different pitcher to start Opening Day in the last five years, following Hunter Greene (2023), Tyler Mahle (2022), Luis Castillo (2021) and Sonny Gray (2020).
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