NL Central Notes: Montas, Alzolay, Cardinals

The Reds’ 3-0 shutout of the Angels today saw five relievers combine for 8 1/3 innings of work, after a forearm bruise forced starter Frankie Montas out of the game in the first inning.  Montas was struck by a Taylor Ward line drive and was still able to throw Ward out at first base, though he then left the mound after an examination from the team trainer.  X-rays revealed no fractures, though Montas told reporters (including Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer) after the game that there is enough soreness and swelling that it seems unlikely that he’ll make his next start.

That next start is set for Friday against the Rangers, and since the Reds don’t have another off-day until May 2, another start would have to be covered if Montas needs more recovery time than just the one turn through the rotation.  It seems like the injured list might therefore be a possibility for Montas just so the Reds aren’t left short-handed, though the team figures to evaluate Montas over the next few days before making a decision.  Montas has a 4.19 ERA over 19 1/3 innings for Cincinnati this season, as he followed up two strong opening starts with much shakier performances in his two outings prior to today’s abbreviated appearance.

More from around the NL Central…

• Adbert Alzolay pitched a perfect eighth inning in the Cubs’ 6-3 loss to the Marlins today, as manager Craig Counsell indicated before the game that Alzolay wouldn’t be used in a save situation.  After emerging as Chicago’s closer last season, Alzolay has blown four of seven save opportunities in the early going this year, prompting Counsell to tell reporters (including Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times) that “we’ve got to get Adbert some confidence.”  For his part, Alzolay said mechanical problems were more to blame than any lack of self-belief.  As to who will handle closer duties until Alzolay works his way back into the mix, Counsell said it’s “kind of like a day-to-day thing,” though Hector Neris and Mark Leiter Jr. seem like the most natural candidates.
• The Cardinals called up catcher Pedro Pages and right-hander Nick Robertson from Triple-A Memphis prior to today’s game, while optioning righty Andre Pallante and outfielder Victor Scott II.  Pallante has worked as a reliever over the last two seasons but will start in Triple-A as a way of getting more work in on his scuffling two-seam fastball, Cards manager Oliver Marmol told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Daniel Guerrero and other reporters.  Scott will be getting his first taste of Triple-A baseball, as the Cardinals included him on their Opening Day roster due to some outfield injuries, and as a nod to the impressive 2023 numbers that got Scott some recognition on top-100 prospect lists.  Unfortunately, Scott has looked overwhelmed by Major League pitching, with only an .085/.139/.136 slash line to show for his first 65 plate appearances in the Show.  Pages’ presence will allow the Cards some flexibility in using fellow backstops Willson Contreras and Ivan Herrera in the same lineup at catcher and DH, as Contreras and Herrera are two of the few productive bats within the struggling St. Louis offense.