TAMPA — Jordan Montgomery reached back and tapped his knuckles against his locker — knocking on wood.
The Yankees starting pitcher was talking about how his Tommy John surgery recovery has gone well, except for that one time it seemed like it wouldn’t.
Montgomery said there was a brief period he was worried about the state of his left elbow on Wednesday, when pitchers and catchers reported to spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Hitters report Monday.
“I got sore once,” he said. “Just general soreness. I’m hyper sensitive to everything around my elbow right now.
“That’s what everybody says. You’re so focused on if you feel anything. But I felt good.”
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Montgomery had the operation in June. He said he hopes to be back on the mound at Yankee Stadium in June of this year, which seems like an extreme long shot. Most pitchers who need Tommy John surgery recover in between 12 and 18 months, but it’s typically closer to 18.
The 26-year-old added that he believes he’ll be able to start throwing off a mound sometime in March.
“It sucks but you kind of got to get over yourself,” Montgomery said of the recovery period. “I’ve got four more months to get as strong as I can work on everything you can. Mechanics, work them out, get my legs stronger.”
Montgomery added that the Yankees didn’t tell him he’d be ready for June and that it was just what he expects.
Manager Aaron Boone can afford to wait on Montgomery. The Yankees’ rotation is full, with CC Sabathia bringing up the back end, and the team has several capable sixth starter candidates who will battle in spring training.
Montgomery added that he’s open to any sort of role.
“I don’t know what I’ll be doing,” he said, “but hopefully whatever they need me to do.”
Montgomery went 2-0 with a 3.62 ERA in six starts before hitting the disabled list for good last year. He figures to start the season on the 60-day DL.
Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.