WASHINGTON (AP) -Luke Montz’s first journey from Triple-A to the majors took him through a hurricane. Literally.
On Tuesday evening, Luke Montz and his father were navigating the rainy remnants of Gustav in Louisiana, avoiding closed roads and downed power lines as they completed the 17-hour almost-nonstop drive from Ohio following the end of the Triple-A season in Columbus the night before.
Montz was eager to see how his family was weathering the storm. He was also looking forward to spending the offseason with his buddies in Lafayette.
“I spent 30 minutes at home. My buddy and I were walking out to eat at Popeye’s when the phone rang,” Montz said. “Popeye’s never happened.”
On the phone was Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden. Catcher Jesus Flores had just sprained his left ankle in a collision at home plate in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Montz was finally getting the call to the big leagues.
“Nothing’s better than that phone call,” Montz said. “The buddies can wait. … I’m the happiest man on the planet right now.”
The broad smile on the 25-year-old catcher’s face made it easy to think he was right. Montz awoke at 6 a.m. Wednesday and had barely slept for 48 hours, but he had a locker at Nationals Park and will start Thursday’s game at Atlanta.
“The guy was dodging a hurricane, and he’s in the big leagues now,” manager Manny Acta said. “He’s having a great time.”
Montz batted .256 with 18 RBI in 48 games with Columbus this season. He will back up Wil Nieves until Flores returns.
“I don’t know much about him,” said Acta, who had never met Montz before Wednesday. “But I’m going to find out, for sure.”
Meanwhile, there was good news about Flores, whose MRI exam confirmed the original diagnosis of a sprained ankle.
Flores had been carted off the field Tuesday after Chase Utley attempted to steal home in the third inning Tuesday. Utley barreled into Flores while being tagged out, and Flores remained on the ground for several minutes.
“I wasn’t thinking I broke my bone, but maybe my ligament,” Flores, who is batting .256 with eight homers and leads the Nationals with 59 RBIs. “I felt my leg slipping and I couldn’t stand up.”
Flores will have to wear a black walking boot on left foot for about a week. After that, the Nationals will play it safe, given that Flores has proven himself to be the franchise’s long-term solution at his position.
“We’re in no rush,” Acta said.
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