Bay Bridge Series: Frankie Montas scratched, Jesús Luzardo to start Friday

SAN FRANCISCO — A’s right-handed starter Frankie Montas was scratched from his start Friday due to upper back tightness, the Oakland A’s announced.

The off-day allows the A’s to start left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo Friday instead, while Johnny Cueto will start for the Giants. Luzardo was scheduled to start Saturday with LHP Sean Manaea scheduled to start Sunday.

Montas wasn’t placed on the IL and could pitch in one of the remaining games of the Bay Bridge series, manager Bob Melvin said. If the injury persists, Manaea will be pushed up to pitch Saturday.

Montas started feeling soreness in his upper back, near the lower part of his neck during the off day, Melvin said. The soreness Montas felt worsened by Friday morning.

After over-usage during a grueling nine-game win streak, the bullpen had a lighter workload against the Los Angeles Angels and a key off day to rejuvenate them for the upcoming stretch.

“It’s always nice to have a day off,” Melvin said. “So, we used some guys on Wednesday, but not a ton of pitches. So we’re in pretty good shape today.”

Burch Smith and J.B. Wendelken are stretched out to throw multiple innings if the rotation, without Montas, can’t eat through enough innings. Daniel Mengden is first up to get a spot start. But Smith, who spent most of his career before coming to Oakland as a starter, could very well slot in as a spot starter, too.

Montas won the American League Player of the Week honor Monday after tossing seven innings of one-run ball over two starts against the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, striking out 14 with four walks in the process.