Montas will pitch Sunday in a simulated game on a back field at the Athletics' spring training complex, leaving him in play for a possible Opening Day assignment next Friday against the Phillies, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The hard-throwing right-hander has put together two sharply contrasting starts in Cactus League play thus far, with his most recent turn Sunday against the Mariners qualifying as the one where he pitched to plenty of contact. However, Montas and Sean Manaea remain the top two pitchers in the rotation, and consequently, the realistic candidates to draw an Opening Day start.