Dodgers pitcher Frankie Montas out four to eight weeks with broken rib

Reporting from PITTSBURGH — When the Dodgers mapped out a pitching rotation for this month, the team hoped hard-throwing right-hander Frankie Montas would join the rotation for this weekend at PNC Park. Instead, he became the latest member of the organization to suffer an injury setback.

Montas, a 23-year-old with a fastball that touches 100 mph, has been diagnosed with a broken right rib and will miss four to eight weeks, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The team is expected to address the situation before Friday’s game against the Pirates.

Acquired in a three-team trade with the White Sox and the Reds this winter, Montas underwent rib resection surgery in February to remove his first right rib. This second right rib showed signs of distress, but was not cracked.

Montas reported discomfort in his rib cage last week. The Dodgers initially hoped it was just irritation caused by the incision from his surgery. A subsequent examination revealed the depth of the damage.

The organization hopes Montas can move past the rib issues after this bone heals. He most likely will return as a candidate for the bullpen in 2016. Montas posted a 2.25 earned-run average between double-A Tulsa and triple-A Oklahoma City with 22 strikeouts in 16 innings.

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