Montgomery optioned to Yanks' training site

NEW YORK -- The Yankees’ Opening Day roster is coming into view, as the club executed a flurry of roster moves in advance of Wednesday’s late-afternoon workout at Nationals Park, including optioning left-hander Jordan Montgomery to the club’s alternate training site.

The move to option Montgomery stemmed from the club’s decision not to use a fifth starter during the first turn through the rotation. It is expected that Montgomery will be recalled prior to the Yanks’ sixth game of the season, the July 29 home opener against the Phillies at Yankee Stadium.

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Earlier on Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone outlined the early pitching plans. Right-hander Gerrit Cole and left-hander James Paxton will start the first two games against the Nationals, to be followed by a to-be-determined starter on Sunday -- Boone mentioned right-handers Chad Green, Jonathan Loaisiga and Michael King as candidates.

Left-hander J.A. Happ will start the July 27 series opener against the Phillies, which would allow Cole to go on regular rest at Philadelphia on July 28.

The Yankees announced that they signed left-hander Luis Avilán, right-hander David Hale and catcher Chris Iannetta to Major League contracts, selecting them to the 40-man roster.

Players reassigned to the club’s alternate training site in Moosic, Pa., included: infielder Matt Duffy, outfielder Estevan Florial, right-hander Deivi García, outfielder Zack Granite, catcher Erik Kratz, right-hander Brooks Kriske, left-hander Tyler Lyons, right-hander Nick Nelson, right-hander Clarke Schmidt, right-hander Nick Tropeano, right-hander Miguel Yajure and right-hander Tony Zych.

Additionally, the Yankees placed right-hander Dan Otero on the restricted list. Boone addressed García and Schmidt, two of the club’s top pitching prospects, prior to the moves being formally announced. Earlier in the day, Schmidt was named the winner of the James P. Dawson Award, indicative of the club’s top rookie in Spring Training.

“Deivi is a young guy that had so much success last year and rocketed through [the Minors] that clearly still has some development to go,” Boone said. “This will be an important time for him down there to continue to develop and iron out his delivery. His repertoire and his talent will allow him to get here, so it's an important time for him to continue to prove himself down there and keep himself in the conversation.

“And then Clarke … has delivered in every way; what we saw in Spring Training, what we've seen now here in Summer Camp, he's been excellent. For a guy that hasn't had a lot of Minor League experience yet, he's pretty polished, too. Hopefully he'll go down there and continue to develop and pitch. He's very much in the conversation to be with us at some point this season. I wouldn't be surprised if he was -- and not only if he was, but playing an important role for us.”