Yankees prospect Jesus Montero has “minor” ankle surgery

Yankees prospect Jesus Montero is expected to miss the Triple-A playoffs after undergoing what Chad Jennings of the New York Journal News calls “surgery to clear out some infection in his ankle.” But before prospect buffs and Yankees fans freak out too much, general manager Brian Cashman called the surgery “minor.” Montero reportedly was almost traded to the Mariners for Cliff Lee, but instead stayed with the Yankees and hit .289/.353/.517 with 21 homers and 34 doubles in 123 games at Triple-A as a 20-year-old. Not only did Montero post the fifth-best OPS in the International League among hitters with at least 100 games, he did so as one of just two 20-year-olds in the entire league along with Freddie Freeman of the Braves. Whether or not he’ll be able to remain a catcher long term is unclear, but there’s no doubting his bat.