The Yankees, who were in first place in the American League East at the July 31 trade deadline, fell to four and a half games behind the division-leading Red Sox. On Sunday, the Yankees will face the prospect of having to beat Boston’s dominating left-hander, Chris Sale, to avoid falling further behind.
Manager Joe Girardi said that the Yankees’ medical staff had declared Montgomery fit enough to start Sunday night, but he also said that Montgomery would be re-examined Sunday to make sure he had no lingering effects.
Montgomery said that a team trainer had checked for a concussion by asking him a battery of questions.
“What day it is, who we’re playing,” said Montgomery, who did not receive stitches for his wound, which left dried blood on his ear after the game. “Just a bunch of stupid questions.”
Montgomery said the blow would not affect his start Sunday.
“No, I feel good,” he said. “It’s not like I got hit in my arm or anything.”
As it is, the Yankees already have to find a starter to take Tanaka’s spot for Monday’s game against the visiting Mets. Montgomery, a left-hander who was sent to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last Sunday to…
